Solute - Definition, Examples, Types, Properties, FAQs

A solution is a homogeneous mixture made up of two or more components. In such a mixture, a solute meaning is a compound that is dissociated in another substrate, known as a solvent.

Define Solute and Solvent:

Solute definition: A solute is the component that is dissolved in a solution or substances that dissolve in water. Since concentration of solute inside solution is measured by how much of solute dissolved within solvent with accordance to how much of the given solvent is present.

Solvent definition: A solvent is usually a solid that dissolves in a liquid. Salt with water is a common example of a solute. To make a saline solution, the solute, salt, mixes in the solvent, water. Water vapour, on the other hand, is classified as a solute in air where nitrogen as well as oxygen is present considerably in higher concentrations.

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Some common solute examples of solutes include sugar, salt, gases, metals etc.

Characteristics of solute:

1. A solution is a mixture of two or more homogenous. Components

2. A solution's solute particles cannot be seen by the naked eye.

3. A solution prevents light beams from scattering.

4. A solution is one that is stable.

5. the solute cannot separate from a solution by the method of Filtration (or mechanically).

6. There is only one phase to it.

Properties of Solute:

Phase: The solute is the visible portion of a solution.

1. Quantity: Solute is the material present in the smaller amount in the solution.

2. State: A solute can exist in three states: solid, liquid, or gaseous.

3. Boiling point: Solute has greater boiling point than solvent.

4. Dependability: Solubility of solution depends on properties of solute.

5. Heat transfer: Heat gets transferred to solute when present in a solution.

6. Solubility: The physical properties of the solute along with the solubility is determined by the solute properties like surface area and molecular size.

7. Solvent is the material present in maximum quantity in the solution.

Types of Solutes:

The solute is the component present in the smaller ratio when two liquids are combined to form a solution. In a 1 M sulfuric acid solution, for example, sulfuric acid is the solute and water is the solvent. Alloys and solid solutions are also referred to as "solute" and "solvent." In steel, carbon can be regarded as a solute.

The major types of solutes are:

1. Gaseous: When the solvent is a gas, only gases are mixed under certain conditions. The dissolved gases are called gaseous solutes. Example: air such as oxygen and other gases dissolved in nitrogen.

2. Liquid: Alcoholic beverages are basically solutions of which is a liquid in water.

3. Solid: These are the most common type of solutes Examples steel is a mixture of carbon atoms in a crystalline matrix of iron atoms. Alloys like bronze and many others. Polymers containing plasticizers.

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Mechanism of Solute Solvent Interaction:

Intermolecular attractions between a solute particle and a solvent particle are known as solute-solvent interactions. It is improbable that dissolution will occur if the intermolecular interactions between solute particles differ from the intermolecular attractions between solvent particles. It's more likely because the intermolecular interactions between solute and solvent particles are similar. Solutes are mainly classified in three sub-groups namely: ionic, polar and nonpolar. Based on the nature of solute and solvent, solute solvent interactions are classified as:

1. charge-dipole

2. dipole-dipole

3. dipole-induced dipole

4. induced dipole-induced dipole

Solubility:

A substance's solubility refers to the greatest amount that may be dissolved in a given amount of solvent at a given temperature. The type of the solute and solvent, as well as temperature and pressure, all play a role. The solvent is present in higher amounts than the solute in fluid solutions. Concentration is the proportion of solute in a chemical solution to that same amount of solvent present.

Saturated and Unsaturated Solution:

A mixture must be steady to be considered a real solution. When sugar is completely dissolved in water, it can be left to stand for an unlimited period without the sugar settling out. The dissolved sugar particles, together with the water, will flow through the filter. This is due to the small size of the dissolved particles in a solution, which are typically less than one nm in diameter. Depending on the type of substance dissolved, solute particles might be atoms, protons, or molecules.

Furthermore, the sugar-water solution will remain unchanged after passing through a filter. The dissolved sugar particles, together with the water, will flow through the filter. A saturated solution is one in which the solute dissolves to the point where it can no longer dissolve, and the undissolved solute sinks to the bottom. A non-saturated or unsaturated solution is one that completely dissolves the solute while leaving no residue (with less solute than a saturated solution).

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NCERT Chemistry Notes:

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