Solute and Solvent: Key Differences, Types and Properties Explained with Examples

Solute and solvent are two main components that mix together to form a solution. Solute is the substance that dissolves in the solvent. For example, lemon juice and sugar are dissolved in water to make lemon juice. In this solution lemon juice and sugar are solutes while water is a solvent in which they get dissolved. Water is a common solvent that can dissolve a wide range of solutes to prepare solutions such as tea, soda, coffee and more. Understanding solutes and solvent is essential as they are used in medicines, beverages, cleaning products and industries. In this article, we will explain in detail about solute and solvent in a solution, their properties and types along with examples.

Table of Contents

• What is a Solute and Solvent
• Types of Solute and Solvent
• Difference between Solute and Solvent
• Solute and Solvent Examples
• Interesting Facts about Solute and Solvent

What is Solute and Solvent

A solute is a substance in less quantity that gets dissolved in another substance which is more in quantity to prepare a solution. The component in higher quantity that dissolves a solute is called a solvent. Some common examples of solute around us are sugar, salt, tea leaves, vinegar, etc. Water is a universal solvent that can dissolve a number of substances. Other common examples of solvents are milk, oil, ethanol and acetone.

Types of Solute and Solvent

Two common types of solutes and solvents are given below:

• There are three types of solutes based on their physical appearance: solid, liquid and gaseous solutes
• Polar solvents: A solvent that carries a positive or negative charge due to unequal sharing of electrons is called a polar solvent.
• Nonpolar: A solvent that does not carry any charge is known as non-polar solvent.

Examples of Solute and Solvent in Real Life

Some of the common examples of solutes and solvents in real life are given below:

• Sea water: It is the most abundant natural solution that makes around 70% of the earth’s surface. In seawater, water is a solvent that has many solutes such as salts, minerals and oxygen dissolved in it. These salts include sodium chloride, magnesium and calcium are the solute and water is the solvent.

• Blood: It is one of the most complex and essential solutions in nature. The solvent in our blood is plasma which is a yellow colour substance that dissolves many solutes such as oxygen, glucose, proteins, carbon dioxide, salts and nutrients. Without plasma, none of these solutes could reach anywhere in our body.

• Carbonated Drinks: On opening a cold drink can we hear the sound of a gas escaping from it. This is an example of a liquid solute dissolved into a liquid solvent. All carbonated drinks have Co₂ dissolved in water that appears in the form of bubbles when we pour it into an empty glass. Sugar and flavour are some other solutes dissolved in these drinks.

• Vinegar: It is a common kitchen solution that contains between 4 to 8% acetic acid dissolved in water. This acetic acid is prepared naturally via fermentation of apples, rice, or other fermented foods. In this solution water is the solvent and acetic acid is the solute.

• Air: It is one of the most common gaseous solutions that contains solvent like nitrogen as it makes the 78% of the total air that dissolves all other gases. The solutes in air are oxygen, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, methane and water vapours.

Differences between Solute and Solvent

Property	Solute	Solvent
Definition	Substance that gets dissolved in another substance is a solute.	Substance that dissolves the other substance is a solvent.
Quantity	Present in less amount.	Present in a higher amount.
Physical State	Solid, liquid or gas	Liquid or gas
Role	Get dissolved into other substances.	Dissolves the other substance.
Solubility	Disappears into the solution	Remains visible
Common Example	Sugar and Salt	Water

Interesting Facts about Solute and Solvent

• Everytime we sweat our body releases a solution made of solvent which is water and solute such as salt, minerals and other substances.
• Fishes do not breathe air they breathe dissolved oxygen which is a solute in water.
• Dozens of different biological compounds in our body are solutes mixed with plasma which is a solvent.
• Ocean water has been getting saltier for billions of years.
• Water dissolves more substances than any other liquid and is also called a universal solvent.