Solute vs Solvent: Definition, Main Differences, Examples

• It exists in all three states i.e.: solid, liquid, and gas. 
• Solubility is the property of a solute to dissolve within the solvent. Solubility depends upon a number of factors.
• In a solution, the amount of solute is measured in terms of its concentration.
• The concentration of a solute is determined by the ratio of the solute to the volume of the solution.
• Solute has a higher boiling point than solvent.
• A heterogeneous is a type of mixture in which the concentration of solute is not distributed equally.
• Temperature directly affects the solubility of a solute when the solute is in solid and gas form. While Pressure only affects the solubility of the solute in gas form.
• Examples of solutes are salt in water, sugar cubes in tea, and protons in the cytosol.

Solvent Definition

• Most Solvents are found in a liquid state in nature, while some might be found in gas and solid form. For example, Brass is found in solid form.
• Solvent breaks down the particles of solute and dissolves them to make a solution.
• The solvent transfers heat in a solution.
• Carbon-containing solvents are organic while others are inorganic.
• Solvents are of two types, Polar solvents, and Non-polar solvents.
• Water is considered a universal solvent as it dissolves a number of solute particles within it.
• Solvents have a lower boiling point than solutes.
• All proportions of a solvent have an equal concentration of solute.
• Examples of solvents are water, oil, alcohol, etc.

Solute vs Solvent (Main Differences)

Examples of Solutes

• Salt(NaCl) is a solute and water(H2O) is a solvent.
• The negatively charged ion of NaCl (salt) is attracted by the hydrogen particles of water(H20) which is slightly charged. Likewise, the attraction occurs between Sodium(Na) and Oxygen(O2) atoms.
• The attraction between them causes the breakdown of NaCl (salt) into small particles which then dissolve in the water.
• The surface area of the solute particle is responsible for the time period and range of solubility.
• No salt crystal will be visible, once all the Nacl (salt) is dissolved in the solution.

Carbon dioxide in Soda

• Carbon dioxide(CO2) is a solute and Soda (Carbonated drink) is a solvent.
• The bubbles and tangy flavors in carbonated drinks are caused by  Carbon dioxide gas (Co2).
• This happens because carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid when dissolved in water ( in this case soda) which increases the pH level of it between 3 to 4.

Examples of Solvent

• Water is called the universal solvent as it dissolves different types of solute particles than any other common solvents.
• Water is a very Polar Molecule. Oxygen is highly electronegative and increases the polarization in water.
• Water(H2o) can attract both positively charged and negatively charged ions as it has a slightly positive charge near the hydrogen(H2) and a negative charge near the oxygen(O2) atom.
• Water is an essential solvent as it travels and picks up different solutes along its way like minerals, salts, and different nutrients to keep our earth functioning.

Cooking Oil

• Cooking Oil is another important solvent as it prevents the sticking of solutes on the pan.
• We can cook our food with hot oil.
• If we compare, cooking oil with other petroleum products, cooking oil has a more dissolving capacity. It has also less effect on the environment and less toxicity

Watch Video Animation: Solute and Solvent (By makemegenius)