Mixtures and Solutions

A mixture is a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically combined. Examples include salad, air, and sand.

A solution is a special type of mixture where one substance (the solute) is completely dissolved in another substance (the solvent). An example is saltwater.

A solute is the substance that is dissolved in a solution. For example, in saltwater, salt is the solute.

A solvent is the substance that dissolves the solute in a solution. In saltwater, water is the solvent.

A mixture can be separated by physical means and does not have a uniform composition, while a solution has a uniform composition and cannot be easily separated.

Filtration is a process used to separate solids from liquids or gases using a filter. For example, filtering coffee grounds from brewed coffee.

Evaporation is the process of turning a liquid into vapor. It can be used to separate a solute from a solvent, like when saltwater is heated.

A homogeneous mixture is a mixture that has a uniform composition throughout. An example is vinegar.

A heterogeneous mixture is a mixture that does not have a uniform composition. An example is a salad.

Concentration refers to the amount of solute present in a given amount of solvent or solution. A concentrated solution has a lot of solute.