Solutions are a part of our daily lives because they can be found in almost everything we use in our daily lives, such as soda, deodorant, sugar, salt, and so on. A solution is a type of mixture in which two or more substances combine to form a single solution; it can also be described as simple, and its properties may or may not have changed.
Solution Definition
Solution is defined as,
Solution is a mixture of two or more components that is homogeneous. The makeup of a homogeneous mixture is consistent throughout. The true solution is also known as the homogeneous solution.
True solutions have dissolved particles that are the same size as molecules. As a result, true solutions are referred to as molecular solutions. True solutions are formed only by soluble substances.
Filtration will not be able to separate the solute from the solution once it has been generated. A light beam is not permitted to pass through the solution. The solute particles inside the solution are invisible to the naked eye. A solution is a single-phase system that is stable.
Table of Contents
Components of a Solution
There are two parts in a homogeneous combination, the solute and solvent combine to form any solution. A solute is a substance in a solution that has a lower concentration and dissolves in the solvent, which has a higher concentration than the solute. The final state of homogeneous solutions is usually determined by the state of the solvent, though the state of the solute makes no difference in the solution as long as they are soluble in the solvent.
- Solvent: A solvent is a large amount of substance present in a solution that dissolves solute in it. The solvent is also the medium of the solution. Some solvents are Water, Ethanol, Ethyl acetate, Acetone, Benzene, etc.
- Solute: Solute is the substance that is present at a minimum amount according to the need and that gets dissolved in the solvent. Some of the names of solutes are Salt in water, Sugar in tea, Oxygen in seawater, Zinc in dental amalgam, etc.
Types of Solutions
There are various types of solutions based on various parameters, some of these types are:
Based on Solvent
Based on the type of solvent, a solution is classified as aqueous and non-aqueous.
- Aqueous solution: The solution which contains water as its solvent is known as an aqueous solution. For eg; A mixture of sugar and water, hydrogen and water, etc.
- Non-Aqueous solution: The solution which doesn’t contain water as its solvent is known as a non-aqueous solution. For eg: a mixture of gold and copper, sand and salt, etc.
Based on Dissolved Solute
Based on the amount of solute dissolved a solution is classified as saturated, unsaturated, and supersaturated.
- Unsaturated solution: An unsaturated solution is defined as a solution in which a solvent can dissolve less amount of solute in it at a given temperature. For eg: a vinegar solution.
- Saturated solution: A saturated solution can be defined as a solution in which the solvent can dissolve more amount of solute in comparison to the unsaturated solution in it at a given temperature. For eg: a sugar solution.
- Supersaturated solution: A supersaturated solution is defined as a solution that consists of a large amount of solute in it at a given temperature where the extra will be reduced and crystallized quickly. For eg: a mixture of sodium acetate and water.
Based on the Amount of Solvent
Based on the amount of solvent used a solution is classified as dilute solution and concentrated solution.
- Dilute solution: The dilute solution can be defined as the solution in which less amount of solute is dissolved in a large amount of solvent. For eg: salt solution, sugar solution, etc.
- Concentrated solution: The concentrated solution can be defined as the solution in which a large amount of solute is dissolved in less amount of solvent. For eg: orange juice, dark-colored tea, etc.
Based on the Concentration of Two Solutions
While comparing two solutions, we can classify the solution as hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions.
- Hypertonic Solutions: In two solutions, whichever of the solution have a higher concentration of solutes (particles) compared to another solution, is called Hypertonic Solutions. Examples of hypertonic solutions include concentrated saline solutions or solutions with high sugar concentrations.
- Hypotonic Solutions: Out of two solutions that are under observation, a solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution is called a Hypotonic Solution. Distilled water is a common example of a hypotonic solution.
- Isotonic Solutions: If both solutions have similar concentrations of the solutes, then the solutions are called Isotonic Solutions. Normal saline solution (0.9% NaCl) is often used as an isotonic solution in medical settings.
Based on the Uniformity of Solution
Based on the phase uniformity of the solution, we classify a solution as homogeneous and heterogeneous.
- Homogeneous Solution: The solutions in which the composition and phase of solute and solvent are the same throughout, then the solution is called Homogeneous Solutions. For Example, salt dissolved in water.
- Heterogeneous Solution: The solution in which the composition and phase of solute and solvent are distinct is called a heterogeneous solution. Examples include oil dissolved in water etc.
Based on the Number of Components
Based on the number of components used in the solution, we classify a solution as binary, ternary, or quaternary solution.
- Binary solution: A binary solution has only two components one solute and one solvent. Example sugar solution in water.
- Ternary Solution: A ternary solution has three components. Generally, it has two solutes and one solvent. Examples include ORS solution which we make at home contains salt and sugar as solutes and water as a solvent, thus making it a ternary solution.
- Quarternary Solution: A Quarternary Solution has four components in it. Examples include a solution of salt, sugar, lemon, and water. Here we have four components thus making it a Quarternary Solution.
Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Solutions
Homogeneous solutions have uniform composition throughout, while heterogeneous solutions have a non-uniform composition with distinct phases. The following table shows the difference between both types of solutions:
| Homogeneous Solutions | Heterogeneous Solutions |
|---|---|
| Uniform composition throughout | Non-uniform composition with distinct phases |
| Components are evenly mixed and cannot be visually distinguished | Components can be visually distinguished |
| Only one phase is present | Multiple phases are present |
| Examples: saltwater, air | Examples: oil and water mixture, salad dressing |
Other Types of Solutions
Any state of matter (solid, liquid, or gas) can act as both a solvent and a solute during the formation of a solution. As a result, there are nine different types of solutions depending on the physical states of the solute and solvent as,
Gaseous Solution
This is the type of solution in which the solvent is present in the gaseous state. It can be categorized into three types on the basis of the solute present in it:
- Gas-Gas Solution: The solution in which both the solute and solvent are present in the gas state is called a gas solution. eg: a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen, carbon dioxide and oxygen, etc.
- Liquid-Gas Solution: The solution in which the solute is present in the liquid state is called a liquid gas solution. eg: a mixture of nitrogen gas and chloroform.
- Solid-Gas Solution: The solution in which the solute is present in the solid state is s called a solid gas solution. eg: a mixture of nitrogen gas and camphor.
Liquid Solution
This is the type of solution in which the solvent is present in the liquid state. It has three types according to the solute present in it:
- Liquid-Gas Solution: The solution in which the solute is present in a gas state is called a liquid gas solution. eg: a mixture of oxygen and water.
- Liquid-Liquid Solution: The solution in which both the solvent and solute are present in the liquid state is called a liquid-liquid state. eg: a mixture of ethanoic acid and water also known as vinegar solution.
- Liquid-Solid Solution: The solution in which the solute is present in a solid state is called a liquid-solid solution. eg: a mixture of sugar and salt.
Solid Solution
This is the type of solution in which the solvent is present in a solid state is called a solid solution. It can also be categorized into three types:
- Solid-Gas Solution: The solution in which solute is present in a gas state is called a solid-gas solution. eg: a mixture of palladium and hydrogen.
- Solid-Liquid Solution: The solution in which solute is present in a liquid state is called a solid-liquid solution. eg: a mixture of salt and water.
- Solid-Solid Solution: The solution in which both the solute and solvent are present in a solid state is called a solid-solid solution. eg; a mixture of silver and gold.
The table summarising the above nine types of solution based on the state of solute and solvent is tabulated below:
| S.No | Types of Solution | Solute | Solvent | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solid-solid | solid | solid | Alloys like brass, bronze, etc. |
| 2 | Solid-liquid | solid | liquid | The solution of sugar, salt, etc in water. |
| 3 | Solid-gas | solid | gas | Sublimation of substances like iodine, camphor, etc into the air. |
| 4 | Liquid-solid | liquid | solid | Hydrated salts, mercury in amalgamated zinc, etc. |
| 5 | Liquid-liquid | liquid | liquid | Alcohol in water, benzene in toluene |
| 6 | Liquid-gas | liquid | gas | Aerosol, water vapor in the air. |
| 7 | Gas-solid | gas | solid | Hydrogen absorbed in palladium |
| 8 | Gas-liquid | gas | liquid | Aerated drinks |
| 9 | Gas-gas | gas | gas | A mixture of gases, etc |
Concentration of a Solution
The composition of solutions can be described by going through their concentration which can be expressed qualitatively or quantitatively. Most of the solutions are determined quantitatively in real life. There are some formulas that can be used to find out whether the solution is dilute or concentrated, that are:
- Mass Percentage
- Volume Percentage
- Mole Fraction
- Molality
- Molarity
- Parts Per Million
Mass Percentage
Mass percentage is also called weight by weight concentration of solute, Mass Percent is defined as the amount of solute (in grams) present in 100 gm of the solution.
Mass Percentage = (Mass of the component in the solution / Total mass of the solution) × 100
Volume Percentage
Volume Percentage is also called volume by volume concentration of solute. It is defined as the amount of solute (in ml) present in 100 ml of the solution.
Volume Percentage = (Volume of the component / Total volume of the solution) × 100
Mole Fraction
Mole Fraction is the ratio of the number of moles of one component to the total number of moles present in the solution.
Mole Fraction of Component = (Number of moles of the components / Total number of moles of all components) × 100
Molarity
Molarity of a solution refers to the number of moles of solute dissolved per liter of solvent. The formula for molarity is given as
Molarity = Numbers of moles of solute/ Volume of solution (in liters)
Molality
Molality of a solution refers to the number of moles of solute dissolved in per kilogram of solvent. The formula for morality is given as
Molality = Number of moles of solute/ Mass of Solvent (in Kg)
Parts Per Million
Parts per Million means the number of parts of solute present per 1 million parts of the solution. Parts per Million is used to measure the concentration of quantities present in trace amounts. For example, if you have to calculate the presence of a mineral in seawater then the concept of PPM is used.
PPM = (Number of Parts of solute/ Total Number of parts of Solutions) × 106
FAQs on Types of Solutions
Q1: What are the Different Types of Solutions?
Answer:
Solutions can be classified on the basis of various different parameters, as follows:
- Based on Solvent
- Aqueous solution
- Non-Aqueous solution
- Based on Dissolved Solute
- Unsaturated Solution
- Saturated Solution
- Supersaturated Solution
- Based on the Amount of Solvent
- Dilute Solution
- Concentrated Solution
- Based on the Concentration of Two Solutions
- Hypertonic Solutions
- Hypotonic Solutions
- Isotonic Solutions
- Based on Uniformity of Solution
- Homogeneous Solution
- Heterogeneous Solution
- Based on Number of Componets
- Binary Solution
- Ternary Solution
- Quartenary Solution
Q2: What is a Homogeneous Solution?
Answer:
A homogeneous solution, also known as a homogeneous mixture or a true solution, is a mixture where the solute is uniformly distributed throughout the solvent at the molecular level.
Q3: What is a Heterogeneous Solution?
Answer:
A heterogeneous solution is a mixture where the solute particles are not uniformly distributed throughout the solvent.
Q4: What is the difference between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Solutions?
Answer:
Homogeneous solutions have uniform composition throughout, while heterogeneous solutions have non-uniform composition with distinct phases.
Q5: What is an Alloy?
Answer:
An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two or more metals or a metal with a non-metal.
Q6: What is a Solute?
Answer:
A solute is a substance that gets dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. It is the component present in a smaller quantity in the solution.
Q7: What is a Solvent?
Answer:
A solvent is a substance that makes the solute dissolve in it to form a solution. It is the component present in a larger quantity in the solution.
Q8: What is a Dilute Solution?
Answer:
A dilute solution is a solution that contains a relatively small amount of solute dissolved in a solvent. The concentration of the solute is low compared to the amount of solvent.
Q9: What is a Concentrated Solution?
Answer:
A concentrated solution is a solution that contains a relatively large amount of solute dissolved in a solvent. The concentration of the solute is high compared to the amount of solvent.
Q10: How can we determine the Concentration of a Solution?
Answer:
You can determine the concentration of a solution with the concepts of Mass Percentage, Volume Percentage, Mole fraction, Molarity, Molality and Parts Per Million. Refer the sections in this article for detailed formula.
