In a solution, which term describes the substance that dissolves?

In a solution, which term describes the substance that dissolves?

• A. Solute
• B. Solvent
• C. Solution
• D. Catalyst

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is understanding the roles of the components in a solution. In a solution, the substance that is dissolved is called the solute, while the substance doing the dissolving is the solvent, and together they form the solution. So when something like salt dissolves in water, salt is the solute and water is the solvent, yielding a salty solution. The term described is the solute because it is the substance that dissolves into the solvent. The solvent would be the medium that carries the dissolved substance, the solution is the combined mixture, and a catalyst relates to speeding up a chemical reaction, not to the components of the dissolution itself.

The main idea here is understanding the roles of the components in a solution. In a solution, the substance that is dissolved is called the solute, while the substance doing the dissolving is the solvent, and together they form the solution. So when something like salt dissolves in water, salt is the solute and water is the solvent, yielding a salty solution. The term described is the solute because it is the substance that dissolves into the solvent. The solvent would be the medium that carries the dissolved substance, the solution is the combined mixture, and a catalyst relates to speeding up a chemical reaction, not to the components of the dissolution itself.