Chapter 8, Problem 1E

What is an aqueous solution? What is the difference between the solute and the solvent?

Interpretation Introduction

To determine: What is an aqueous solution? What is the difference between the solute and the solvent?

Answer to Problem 1E

Solution: Aqueous solution is solution in which water acts as a solvent.

Substance which has to be dissolved and which is less in amount, is solute and in which it is dissolved is called solvent.

Explanation of Solution

An aqueous solution is the solution in which solvent is taken as water. For example, sugar dissolved in water to form sugar solution is an aqueous solution. Other examples include soft drink, saltwater, rain water, acid and base solutions. Water is a universal solvent means that it dissolves most of the things in it. In a chemical equation, the symbol (aq) is used to indicate the aqueous solution.

Any solution has two components- solute and solvent. Solute is defined as any substance which is to be dissolved in a solution and solvent is defined as any substance in which the solute is dissolved thus, the solute is the minor component whereas solvent is major component in solution. For example, in case of sugar solution, sugar is dissolved in water. Here sugar is dissolved so it is solute and water is the medium in which sugar is dissolved, so water is the solvent. Other examples of solute include salt, acid, base etc. Solvent can be water or organic solvent like benzene, carbon tetrachloride, hexane etc.

Conclusion

Aqueous solution is solution in which water acts as a solvent.

Substance which has to be dissolved and which is less in amount, is solute and in which it is dissolved is called solvent.