Solution Types of solutions

Solutions can be any

What is a solution? combination of solids, liquids,
and gases. All solutions are
described or characterized by
A solution in science is a the state of matter of their
homogenous mixture of two or solvent, not their solutes.
more substances. Solutions
appear to be one substance, but Since we typically deal with
the parts of a solution are not three different phases of matter
chemically bonded. Solutions at normal conditions (solids,
can exist in any phase of matter, liquids, and gases), we can
and the proportions of have six combinations of these
substances in a solution can states of matter in forming
vary up to the limit of solubility. solutions:

Parts of a solution 1. Solid/Solid

2. Solid/Liquid
A solution is made up of 3. Solid/Gas
a solvent and a solute. The 4. Liquid/Liquid
larger amount in a solution is 5. Liquid/Gas
called the solvent, and 6. Gas/Gas
substances in lesser amounts
are solutes.
A hallmark characteristic of a solvent can handle is called
solution is that any sample will the limit of solubility.
be virtually identical to any other
sample because the substances It is possible to have a solution
are so thoroughly mixed. where the solvent and solute
exist in equal amounts, such as
For example, sampling a water a solution
and isopropyl alcohol solution of 50% ethanol and 50% water.
will always give the same In this case, the solvent is often
proportions of the two determined to be the compound
substances. that is most commonly used as
the solvent in other solutions. In
this example, you would refer to
Properties of solutions water as the solvent.

All solutions have these A solution with water as the

properties: solvent is called an aqueous
solution.
 A solution is
a homogeneous mixture. A saturated solution is a
 Solutions are mixtures of a solution where the solvent has
solvent and various reached its limit of solubility.
solutes. When the solvent cannot
 Solute particles cannot be dissolve all of the solute, you
separated by filtration. might find bits of solute at the
 Solutions are stable at a bottom of the container.
given temperature.
 Solutions can be
saturated, unsaturated, or A solution at less than the limit
supersaturated. of solubility is unsaturated. Any
solute to a solvent that has
To form a solution, solutes reached its saturation point or
dissolve into solvents until the limit of solubility creates
solvent can accept no more a supersaturated solution.
solute under normal conditions.
The amount of solute that the
Because the exact proportions Air is an example of a gaseous
of solute and solvent can vary in solution (gas/gas). The air we
a solution, no solution can be breathe exists in roughly these
written as a chemical formula. proportions, and because it is a
This, in addition to the lack of solution, every sample will
chemical bonding, differentiates nearly match every other
solutions from compounds. sample:

Solutions can be separated into  78% nitrogen (N)

their solutes and solvents, which  21% oxygen (O)
can be very difficult, time-
 0.93% argon (Ar)
consuming, or expensive to do.
 0.4% carbon dioxide (2O2)
 Additional trace amounts
On the other hand, merely
of neon (Ne), helium (He),
opening a bottle of carbonated
beverage like soda will separate methane (CH4), krypton
the carbon dioxide gas, a solute, (Kr), hydrogen (H), and
from the sugar water, the water molecules (H2O)
solvent. The bubbles of gas
escaping the solution give the
soda its welcome fizz.
Another example of a gaseous
solution is natural gas, a
Solution examples homogeneous mixture of
methane (CH4) as the solvent
Examples of solutions include and butane (C4H10), ethane (C2
air, sugar water, steel, saltwater, H6), and propane (C3H8) as
pancake syrup, and natural gas. the solutes.

Solid/solid solutions include

steel, bronze, brass, jeweler’s
gold, and pewter. Solid solutions
are called alloys.
Nearly every piece of metal you Solid/gas solutions are rare,
see daily is an alloy, with the but camphor in hydrogen gas is
notable exception of elemental one example.
iron, Fe. Still, even iron often
contains additives to make it Common solutions in the
more workable and less brittle
than it is by itself.
home

Examples of liquid/liquid
Gas/liquid solutions provide
solutions are probably in your
comfortable homes for fish
kitchen:
indoors and out, with fish ponds
and aquariums forcing gaseous
oxygen into the liquid water,  Household liquid cleaners,
along with other solutes to keep almost all of which use
the fish’s water clean. pure water as the liquid
solvent with various
solutes dissolved into it
Solid/liquid solutions include
 Liquid soap, which is
toothpaste (with abrasive solids
mostly pure water with
as the solutes), saltwater (water
solutes of surfactants and
and sodium chloride, NaCl), detergents
sugar water, and sweetened tea  Disinfectants, which use
or coffee. pure water as the solvent
for various germ-killing
chemicals
 Vinegar, a mixture
of 97% pure water (the
 solvent) and 3% acetic See how you did by checking
acid (the solute) your work against our answers
below.

1. Solvents and solutes are

the two parts of a solution.
2. Solutions are
homogeneous mixtures, so
they appear to be one
substance to the naked
eye.
3. Yes, the air we breathe is
Your bathroom may have a solution made up of
liquid/liquid solutions, too: elements on the periodic
table, such as nitrogen,
 Hydrogen peroxide, H2O2 oxygen, and Argon.
 Mouthwash 4. No, oxygen is just one
chemical substance.
Oxygen is not a solution.

Frequently asked
questions about solutions

Review what you know by

answering these questions.

1. What are the parts of a

solution?
2. Are solutions
homogeneous or
heterogeneous mixtures?
3. Is air a solution?
4. Is oxygen a solution?