Definition of a Solution:
A solution is defined as a homogeneous mixture of two or more non-reactive substances in a single phase whose composition can be varied within certain limits. The particle size of each component is up to 10-9m. A binary solution is generally made up of two components solute and solvent.
A solvent is that component of a solution which is present in a larger amount by weight and whose physical state is the same as that of the solution. On the other hand, a solute is that component of a solution which is present in small amounts and whose physical state changes during solution formation. Example- A solution of NaCl in H2O has NaCl as solute and water as solvent.
Types of Solution:
Depending upon the physical state of the solvent and the solute, various types of solutions are tabulated below-
Physical State of Solute | Physical State of Solvent | Examples |
---|---|---|
Solid | Solid | Alloys (Homogeneous Mixture of metals). Example- Steel, Brass. |
Liquid | Solid | Hydrated salts (CuSO4.5H2O); an amalgam of Hg with Na. |
Gas | Solid | Dissolved gases in minerals. Example- CaCO3. |
Solid | Liquid | Salt solutions in H2O. Example- NaCl in H2O. |
Liquid | Liquid | Alcohol in H2O (A mixture of two miscible liquids). |
Gas | Liquid | Aerated drinks; O2 gas dissolved in H2O. |
Solid | Gas | Iodine vapours in air; camphor vapours in N2 gas. |
Liquid | Gas | Humidity in air; chloroform vapours mixed with N2 gas. |
Gas | Gas | A mixture of nitrogen and oxygen gases, air. |
Solutions in which H2O is solvent are called aqueous solutions and solutions in which solvent is other than water, i.e., organic solvents like benzene, ether, CCl4, etc. are called non-aqueous solutions.
There are two more types of solutions called saturated and unsaturated solutions. A solution which can dissolve more of solute is called an unsaturated solution and a solution which cannot dissolve more of solute is called a saturated solution.
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