Solution Chemistry

Solutions Homogeneous mixtures of substances composed of at least one solute and one solvent

Solute A substance that is dissolved, such as salt

Solvent The medium in which a solute is dissolved, such as water

Electrolytes Aqueous solutions that conduct electricity

Nonelectrolytes Aqueous solutions that do not conduct electricity

Dissociation The separation of ions that occurs when an ionic compound dissolves in water

Ionization the process by which a neutral atom or molecule is converted to an ion

Pure Substance Consists of only 1 particular kind of matter and therefore always has the same composition and properties throughout

Pure substances are classified into ELEMENTS (i.e. Fe, O2) or COMPOUNDS (i.e. H2O, CO2)

Mixture A combination of 2 or more pure substances, each of which retains its own chemical and physical properties

Heterogeneous mixture a non-uniform mixture consisting of more than 1 phase (portion)

Homogeneous Mixture A solution uniform throughout, cannot see the different parts of the mixture

Liquid Solutions Made by dissolving solids, liquids or gases in liquids i.e. sugar in water, methanol in water, carbon dioxide in water

Gaseous Solution Made by dissolving solids, liquids or gases into gas. All gases mix in all proportions to produce solutions

Solid Solution Made by mixing solids, liquids or gases with a solid substance i.e. alloy metals (brass is zinc dissolved in copper)

Examples of Solutions