Solute

Definition

A solute is a substance that is dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. It can be in any phase: solid, liquid, or gas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The concentration of a solute in a solution is often expressed in molarity (M), which is moles of solute per liter of solution.
2. Solutes can affect the boiling and freezing points of solutions through colligative properties.
3. In aqueous solutions, water is typically the solvent and the dissolved substance is the solute.
4. The process of dissolving involves interactions between the solute particles and the solvent molecules.
5. The amount of solute that can be dissolved in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature depends on the solubility of the solute.

Review Questions

• What defines a substance as a solute within a solution?
• How is the concentration of a solute typically measured in chemistry?
• What factors influence how much solute can dissolve in a solvent?

Related terms

Solvent:

A substance that dissolves a solute to form a solution. The most common solvent is water.

Solution:

A homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances, where one substance (solute) is dissolved in another (solvent).

Molarity:

$\text{Molarity (M)}$ is defined as the number of moles of solute per liter of solution.