Solutions, solutes, solvents and solvation
Dissolution disperses specified molecular or ionic species in a solvent.
Key knowledge
A solution is a homogeneous mixture at the specified scale and conditions. The solvent is the component chosen as the dissolving medium, often the major component; the dissolved components are solutes. Solvation describes interactions of solvent species with dissolved species. Dissolving sucrose disperses molecules, whereas dissolving an ionic salt can disperse its ions. Dissolution is therefore different from melting, and it need not form a new covalent substance or always release heat.
Conditions and scope
- Specify the components, phase, temperature and pressure. Solutions can be solid, liquid or gas; not every mixture forms one homogeneous phase.
- Dissolution, dissociation and chemical reaction can coexist in a particular system and must be distinguished by the actual species.
Sources · 2
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Solution composition, molecular versus ionic dissolution and solvent–solute interactions with either sign of dissolution heat.
2026-10-10 · Independent Mathematics and Information editor (AI editorial/source review; not the Chemistry/Biology/Earth author). The specified introductory inventory has no unresolved demonstrated material gap after the changes and body-based reuse. Existing advanced references retain their historical scoped approvals. English-only reference prose and explicit Lithuanian-translation-pending status are preserved.
Foundational review
2026-10-10 · Independent AI editorial inspection of this new compact reference entry, its equations, applicability, sources and knowledge connections.
Sources from other places
Scope or convention differs
Homogeneous mixtures, solvent/solute roles and dissolution equilibrium.
This comparison covers mixtures and dissolution; microscopic solvation detail remains in the existing references.
NCERT
- Chemistry XII: Solutions IndiaEnglish
§1.1, printed pp1–2: solution, solute and solvent; §1.3.1, printed pp5–6: dissolution and saturation equilibrium; §1.5.2, printed p14: azeotropic composition
- Chemistry XII: Solutions
Entry details
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- foundation-chem-solution-solvation
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- foundations-audit.1
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- Foundational core completion