When a solute is dissolves in a solvent what is happening on a molecular level why is it clear?

Answer 1

On the molecular level, that poor solute is being torn apart. Take NaCl for example. When it dissolves in water, the chlorine and sodium atoms are ripped away from each other. The positive ends of the water molecules (the ends with hydrogen atoms) are attracted to the chlorine atoms and surround it, while the oxygen ends (negatively charged) are attracted to the sodium atoms and then the water molecules will surround it as well. It isn't always perfectly clear; salt water tends to have a white tinge to it, even after all the salt has been dissolved.

Answer 2

When a solute dissolves in a solvent, the solvent molecules surround the solute particles and break the intermolecular forces holding the solute together. This allows the solute particles to spread out evenly throughout the solvent, leading to a clear solution. The individual solute particles are now dispersed at a molecular level within the solvent, making the solution clear.