Chemistry - Types of Solutions

A mixture is formed when two or more substances were combined. A solution is formed when the components of the mixture, namely solute and solvent, are cannot be differentiated from the other. Solute is the one being dissolved in the solution or the component that is lesser amount while the solvent is the one wherein the solute is being dissolved or the component that is of larger amount. Solvents also tend to preserve its physical state even though it is already on a solution.

Types of solutions are based on the: physical state; relative amount of solute; ability to conduct electricity; and degree of saturation. In this exercise, the physical state of a solution as a liquid will be taken into consideration.

Dissolution takes place when solute particles occupy the positions of the solvent particles. This process depends on the relative intermolecular forces of the solute-solute interaction, solvent-solvent, and the solute-solvent interaction (Chang 2010). The solute and solvent can be either ionic or molecular in nature.  

Water, being a polar substance, is known as the universal solvent. When ionic substances were dissolved in water, they become separated to each other and dispersed throughout the solution. This happens because the positive end of water molecules interact with the anions while the negatve end of water molecules interact with the cation. This process is called solvation. Hydration happens when the solven that surrounds the ion is water. Even though water is considered as the universal solvent, solutes not having enough dipole moments do not readily dissolve in water. Hence, dissolution of substances on a solvent applies the rule of thumb “like dissolves like” (Chang 2010).

Solubility is one of the ways to study solutions. Solubility is finding the amount of solute that can be dissolved in specific amount of solvent at a specific temperature. It can referred qualitatively as soluble when the solute is dissolved completely, slightly soluble when not dissolved completely, and insoluble when not dissolved entirely. On the other hand, instead of soluble, miscible is the term used when the solute and solvent are both liquid. It can also be defined quantitatively as amount of solute in grams on a one liter solution. Polarity of the substances, temperature, pressure, and pH, are the factors that can affect the solubility of solutions.(Chang)