1) A solvent is a substance, usually a liquid, that can dissolve other substances (called solutes) to form a solution. Solvents are typically the major component of a solution and do not change their chemical structure during the dissolving process. Some key points about solvents include:
Common examples: Water is the most common solvent, but others include ethanol, acetone, and hexane.
Function: Solvents break apart the molecules or ions of the solute and surround them, keeping them dispersed in the solution.
Polarity: Solvents can be polar (like water) or non-polar (like oil). This affects what types of substances they can dissolve.
Uses: Solvents are used in many everyday products and industrial processes, such as in paints, cleaning products, and chemical reactions.
"Like dissolves like": Generally, polar solvents dissolve polar solutes, and non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar solutes.
Understanding solvents is crucial in chemistry as they play a vital role in many chemical processes and applications.
Related Terms
Solute
Solution
Solubility
Miscibility
Concentration
Polarity
Solvation