Solvent is defined as which of the following?

Solvent is defined as which of the following?

• A. The substance which dissolves a solute
• B. The substance dissolved in a solvent
• C. The solute
• D. The solution

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that a solvent is the medium that dissolves other substances. In a solution, you have the solute, which is the substance being dissolved, and the solvent, which does the dissolving. The solvent is usually the component in the larger amount, shaping the overall properties of the solution. For example, in salt water, water acts as the solvent and salt as the solute; the water is the substance that enables the salt to disperse and form the solution. So, the correct choice identifies the solvent as the substance that dissolves a solute. The other terms refer to the dissolved substance (the solute) or to the whole mixture (the solution), not to the dissolving medium.

The key idea is that a solvent is the medium that dissolves other substances. In a solution, you have the solute, which is the substance being dissolved, and the solvent, which does the dissolving. The solvent is usually the component in the larger amount, shaping the overall properties of the solution. For example, in salt water, water acts as the solvent and salt as the solute; the water is the substance that enables the salt to disperse and form the solution. So, the correct choice identifies the solvent as the substance that dissolves a solute. The other terms refer to the dissolved substance (the solute) or to the whole mixture (the solution), not to the dissolving medium.