9.The Amazing World of Solutes, Solvents, and
Solutions
8th science curiosity
By:K Sandeep Swamy(M.Sc,B.Ed)
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This document explores the fascinating science of solutions, examining how substances dissolve, mix, and interact. We'll
investigate the relationships between solutes and solvents, understand saturation and concentration, and discover how
temperature affects solubility. We'll also explore density and its role in determining whether objects float or sink in liquids.
Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, we'll uncover the principles that govern these everyday phenomena.
Understanding Solutions: Uniform vs. NonUniform Mixtures
When substances like salt and sugar are mixed with water,
they form uniform mixtures where components are evenly
distributed throughout. This is why every sip of homemade
Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) tastes the same - the salt and
sugar are uniformly dissolved.
In contrast, when substances like chalk powder, sand, or
sawdust are mixed with water, they form non-uniform
mixtures where components are not evenly distributed.
Fig. 9.1: Mixture of sugar, salt, and water
A uniform mixture, such as salt dissolved in water, is called a solution. Non-uniform mixtures, like sand in water, have visible
separate components that may float or sink.
Solute, Solvent, and Solution:
The Basic Components
Solute
The substance that dissolves in a liquid to form a solution. In salt water, salt
is the solute.
Solvent
The liquid in which a solute dissolves. In salt water, water is the solvent.
Solution
The uniform mixture formed when a solute dissolves in a solvent. Salt water
is a solution.
When a solution is formed by mixing two liquids, the substance present in smaller
amount is called the solute, while the one in larger amount is called the solvent.
In gaseous solutions like air, nitrogen (the most abundant component) is
considered the solvent, while oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases are the
solutes.
Saturation: When Solutions Reach Their Limit
When you add salt to water and stir, it initially dissolves
completely. However, if you continue adding more salt,
eventually it will stop dissolving and begin to settle at the
bottom. This happens because the water has reached its limit
for dissolving salt.
An unsaturated solution can dissolve more solute at a
given temperature
A saturated solution cannot dissolve any more solute at
that temperature
Fig. 9.5: Unsaturated solution
Fig. 9.6: Saturated solution
The amount of solute present in a fixed quantity of solution is called its concentration. Solutions with less solute are called dilute,
while those with more solute are concentrated.
Solubility: How Much Can Dissolve?
The maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a fixed quantity of solvent at a specific temperature is called its solubility.
Increase Temperature
For most solid solutes, solubility
in