What is a solution?

What is a solution?

• A. A heterogeneous blend of two pure substances.
• B. A homogeneous mixture formed when a solute dissolves evenly in a solvent.
• C. A metal alloy with mixed properties.
• D. A mixture that cannot be separated.

Answer: (B)

A solution is a homogeneous mixture formed when a solute dissolves evenly in a solvent. This means the dissolved substance spreads uniformly at the molecular level, so the mixture has the same composition throughout and looks the same from any part. The particles are too small to see, and you typically can separate the components by physical methods like evaporation or distillation, depending on the substances involved. A heterogeneous blend would show visible different parts, not a uniform mix. An alloy can be a solid solution in some cases, but not all alloys fit the idea of a solution, and a mixture that cannot be separated isn’t an accurate description of a solution.

A solution is a homogeneous mixture formed when a solute dissolves evenly in a solvent. This means the dissolved substance spreads uniformly at the molecular level, so the mixture has the same composition throughout and looks the same from any part. The particles are too small to see, and you typically can separate the components by physical methods like evaporation or distillation, depending on the substances involved. A heterogeneous blend would show visible different parts, not a uniform mix. An alloy can be a solid solution in some cases, but not all alloys fit the idea of a solution, and a mixture that cannot be separated isn’t an accurate description of a solution.