What is the difference between solute and solvent

An aqueous solution is water that contains one or more dissolved substances. The dissolved substances in an aqueous solution may be solids, gases, or other liquids. Some examples are listed in the Table above. Other examples include vinegar acetic acid in water , alcoholic beverages ethanol in water , and liquid cough medicines various drugs in water. Figure 2. Typical solution — clear and stable. Ben Mills Wikimedia : Benjah-bmm In order to be a true solution, a mixture must be stable.

When sugar is fully dissolved into water, it can stand for an indefinite amount of time and the sugar will not settle out of the solution. Further, if the sugar-water solution is passed through a filter it will be unchanged. The dissolved sugar particles will pass through the filter along with the water. This is because the dissolved particles in a solution are very small, usually less than 1 nm in diameter.

Solute particles can be atoms, ions, or molecules, depending on the type of substance that has been dissolved. Use the link below to answer the following questions:. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Basis for Comparison. A solute is a substance that is added to a solvent to form a solution.

The solvent is the medium phase of a solution that disperses solute particles. The quantity of solute is less than the solvent in a solution. The concentration of a solution is the amount of solute present with respect to the amount of solvent. However, the solute is the minor component of a solution. When a solute is dissolved in a solution, the chemical and physical properties of that solution are changed accordingly.

Sometimes, a solvent may be composed of different solutes. When a water soluble ionic compound is dissolved in water, this compound gets separated into its aqueous ions. Then this ionic compound is the solute of that solution. When a covalent compound is dissolved in a solution, it is separated into its molecules. Figure 2: Salt can be dissolved in water.

Here, salt is the solute and water is the solvent. Solutes can be either polar or nonpolar. Polar solutes can be dissolved in polar solvents whereas nonpolar solutes can be dissolved in nonpolar solvents. Solutes usually have higher boiling points compared to solvents.

The solubility of a solute may depend on the temperature, type of solvent that is used and the surface area of the solute compound. Therefore, we can increase the solubility of the solute in a suitable solvent by increasing the surface area.

Solvent: A solvent is a substance in which different compounds can be dissolved in order to form a solution. Solute: A solute is a substance that can be dissolved in a solution. Solvent: Solvents are in liquid phase almost all the time, but there can be solid or gaseous solvents as well. Solute: Solutes are found in solid, liquid or gaseous phase.

Solvent: Solubility of a solute in a solvent depends on the solvent properties such as polarity. Solute: Solubility of a solute in a solvent depends on solute properties such as surface area of the solute.