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Add to favourites LO: Identifying the solvent and solute in solutions
You will hear this type of mixture a lot throughout your scientific carrier. A solution is a type of mixture which doesn’t separate by itself. The molecules are so tiny and spread so evenly through out, that the solution can look transparent.
When you drop a sugar cube into a glass of water, it breaks down and dissolves into the liquid. The molecules from the sugar become so small they move in between the water molecules. They won’t rise to the top or sink to the bottom and the water still remains transparent. This means the sugar has dissolved.
Here are some terms you need to know.
Something that can dissolve into a liquid (like salt)
Something that can not dissolve into a liquid (like oil)
The things you mix these into.
The thing you mix into the solvent
A small amount of solute is added to the solution
A large amount of solute is added to the solution
Too much solute is added to the solution and no more can be dissolved into the solution.
Check out the slide show below. Go through each slide by selecting ‘next’ and attempt the questions that come up.
Water as a solvent
This is one of water’s most important properties. Most things in your body rely on ‘s waters properties as a solvent to function.
Our bodies are over 60% water and our blood which (is mainly water), is responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients and removing waste to and from every cell in your body! This means your digestive system, respiratory system and basic cellular function all rely on water being a good solvent.
It’s not just us that rely on water as a solvent, fish, underwater plants, algae and other sea creatures rely on the water’s ability to dissolve gases into the water.
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