What is the difference between a solvent, a solute, and a solution?
The solvent is the substance that is dissolved or breaks down the solute.
The solute is the substance being dissolved or broken down.
A solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances.
Let's look at several examples to help with understanding.
First, we have a cup of coffee with cream and sugar.
The solvent is the water.
The solute is the soluble portions of the coffee the sugar that you can stir in and the cream.
The solution is the coffee, sugar, and cream all mixed together.
Next, you have a cup of tea.
The solvent is the water, the solute is the soluble portions of the tea along with the sugar which creates a solution.
Imagine water is moving over rocks causing white water. As the water moves over the rocks the solvent is the water and the solute is the oxygen that is dissolved into the water which creates a solution of water and oxygen.
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