In a solution, such as salt dissolved in water, what term describes the substance present in the smaller amount that gets dissolved?

Explanation

In a solution, the solute is the substance present in the smaller amount that becomes dissolved, while the solvent is the substance present in the larger amount that does the dissolving, such as water in a typical saltwater solution. In the common example of salt water, the salt is the solute and the water is the solvent, and the resulting mixture is considered homogeneous, meaning the solute is evenly distributed throughout. Many everyday liquids people encounter, from seawater to sweetened tea, are examples of solutions formed by a solute dissolving in a solvent. Explore more Everyday Science MCQs on mcqstutor to keep practicing.