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You may think of two main reasons. The first is the fact that water has dipole moments, with a + region close to the Hs and a negative region at the O. It will attract ions, both cations and anions, or other molecules that also have dipole moments. With resepect to molecular species, water will end up "competing" with the the attraction between the molecules that are being dissolved. For example, water dissolves ethanol quite well because the attraction between ethanol molecules is mostly through the OH groups and involve the H-bonding between these molecules. But H2O molecules have OH groups and may also H-bond to other molecules. They will compete and end up "fighting", equal to equal, in the attraction between the ethanol molecules.

With respect to ionic compounds, H2O is also attracted by the cations and the anions. The cations are attracted to the O- region of the water dipole and the anions are attracted by the H+ region of the H2O. This attraction will facilitate the separation of the ions, because now you have lots of molecules attempting to attract the ions. In the end the ions are surrounded by water molecules and said to be "solvated", or better, hydrated in this case, providing great stabilization in the medium.

The second reason, which plays a great role during dissolution of ionic salts is the fact tha water has a very high dielectric constant. The higher the dielectric constant the smaller the force between the charges, and the ions are more easily separated this way.

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What is a substance in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution?

A solvent is a substance in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution. The solute can be solids, liquids, or gases that are dissolved in a solvent to create a homogeneous mixture. Examples include water (solvent) dissolving salt (solute) to form a saltwater solution.


What is nature of solute and solvent examples?

A solute is the substance that gets dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. Examples include salt (solute) dissolving in water (solvent) to form saltwater. The nature of the solute and solvent will determine the physical and chemical properties of the resulting solution.


A solution containing large amounts of solute in comparison to solvent is what?

A solution that contains a large amount of solute when compared to the volume of the solvent is called a concentrated solution. Examples of concentrated solutions are hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid. A dilute solution is one where the amount of solute is small compared to the solvent.


What is the relationship between An solvent and a solute?

1. A solvent and a solute are both parts of a solution.2. The solvent is mostly in majority and, it dissolves a solute in itself to make a solution.


Two basic parts of a solution?

The solute and the solvent...you can tell them apart because thesolute is: in a solution a substance that is dissolved in a solvent andthe solvent is, in a solution the substance that dissolves a solute and makes up the largest percentage of a solution.

Related Questions

What is a solute and examples?

A solution contain a solute and a solvent; examples are brine, vodka and vinegar.


What is a substance in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution?

A solvent is a substance in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution. The solute can be solids, liquids, or gases that are dissolved in a solvent to create a homogeneous mixture. Examples include water (solvent) dissolving salt (solute) to form a saltwater solution.


What is nature of solute and solvent examples?

A solute is the substance that gets dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. Examples include salt (solute) dissolving in water (solvent) to form saltwater. The nature of the solute and solvent will determine the physical and chemical properties of the resulting solution.


A solution containing large amounts of solute in comparison to solvent is what?

A solution that contains a large amount of solute when compared to the volume of the solvent is called a concentrated solution. Examples of concentrated solutions are hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid. A dilute solution is one where the amount of solute is small compared to the solvent.


In a solution the substance in which the solute dissolvent?

the solvent


What does a solute and solvent make up?

A solute and solvent make up a solution. The solute is the substance that is dissolved in the solvent to form the solution. The solvent is the substance in which the solute is dissolved.


What is the relationship between An solvent and a solute?

1. A solvent and a solute are both parts of a solution.2. The solvent is mostly in majority and, it dissolves a solute in itself to make a solution.


Two basic parts of a solution?

The solute and the solvent...you can tell them apart because thesolute is: in a solution a substance that is dissolved in a solvent andthe solvent is, in a solution the substance that dissolves a solute and makes up the largest percentage of a solution.


What dissolves solute solvent and solution?

A solute is a substance that dissolves in a solvent to form a solution. The solvent is the substance in which the solute dissolves to form a solution. A solution is the final mixture resulting from the dissolution of a solute in a solvent.


What is the differences between solution solvent and solute?

A solute is a substance that is dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. The solvent is the substance that dissolves the solute, while the solution is the homogeneous mixture formed by the solvent and solute.


What is the composition of solution?

Solution: a solute (or more) in a solvent. Solute: the dissolved substance in a solvent. The solute must be soluble in the solvent.


A solution containing large amount of solute in comparison to solvent is?

A solution that contains a large amount of solute when compared to the volume of the solvent is called a concentrated solution. Examples of concentrated solutions are hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid. A dilute solution is one where the amount of solute is small compared to the solvent.