Solution: one substance dissolved in another
Solvent: The (liquid) substance that does the dissolving Solute (pronounced Sahl-yoot): The dissolved substance Solvent Solute
Hydrophilic substances “love water” and dissolve easily
Hydrophobic substances “fear water” and don’t dissolve easily
Concentration: How much solute is dissolved in a unit of solution The Dead Sea, in the Middle East, has the highest concentration of salt of any body of water on Earth. Units: g/L, %, g/mol, ppm etc. The solubility of a substance measures the maximum amount that can dissolve. A saturated solution can’t dissolve any more solute.
The golden rule: “Like dissolves like” Solvents are best at dissolving substances that are similar to themselves Water is polar, and is good at dissolving polar compounds. Non-polar solvents (like paint thinner or gasoline) are good at dissolving non-polar substances (like tar or oil) Hydrophilic compounds: polar or non-polar?