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Home > Articles > Types of Solution: Definition, Types, Properties, Homogenous & Heterogenous Solution with Examples
Updated on 20th April, 2023 , 9 min read
The nature of solutions depends on how the solute dissolves in the solvent. A solution is a homogeneous mixture consisting of two components: solute and solvent. Examples of solubles include salt and sugar.
The process of forming a solution by combining solute and solvent is a physical process, not a chemical one. The state of the solvent determines the final state of the homogeneous solution, while the state of the solute usually doesn't affect the solution, as long as it is soluble in the solvent. Once a solution is formed, the solute cannot be separated from the solution through filtration.
A solution is a mixture formed by combining two main components:
The characteristics of solutions include:
Solute and solvent combine to form a solution through a physical process, not a chemical one. The solute and solvent can be separated from the solution without undergoing any chemical changes, using methods such as evaporation. An example of this is the dissolution of solid zinc nitrate in water to form an aqueous solution of zinc nitrate, as shown in the equation:
Zn(NO3)2(s) + H2O(l) Zn2+ (aq) + 2NO3- (aq)
From the above reaction, it can be observed that Zn(NO3)2 can be easily recovered by evaporating the water. This demonstrates that the dissolution of a solute in a solvent to form a solution does not involve a chemical process.
There are various ways to classify solutions based on different criteria, such as the nature of the solvent, the amount of solvent added, and the concentration of solute in the solution. Here are some rephrased statements:
Solutions can be classified into three types based on the amount of solute present in the solution-
Property |
Supersaturated Solution |
Saturated Solution |
|
Definition |
A solution containing more solute than what can normally be dissolved at a particular temperature and pressure. |
A solution containing the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved at a particular temperature and pressure. |
A solution containing less solute than the maximum amount that can be dissolved at a particular temperature and pressure. |
Stability |
unstable and can spontaneously precipitate if disturbed or seeded with a solute crystal. |
Stable, no further dissolution or precipitation occurs unless temperature, pressure, or solute concentration change. |
stable and can dissolve more solute without precipitation. |
Dissolution Rate |
Faster, as the solute concentration is above the saturation point. |
There will be no net change, as the solution is already saturated. |
faster, as the solute concentration is below the saturation point. |
Preparation |
formed by dissolving excess solute in a solvent at a higher temperature, then slowly cooling the solution without allowing precipitation. |
formed by dissolving the maximum amount of solute in a solvent at a particular temperature and pressure. |
formed by dissolving less than the maximum amount of solute in a solvent at a particular temperature and pressure. |
Application |
Used in various industrial processes such as crystallization, precipitation, and drug manufacturing. |
Commonly used in everyday situations, such as making saturated solutions for cooking or cleaning. |
Commonly used in situations where more solute can be dissolved, such as in chemical reactions or pharmaceutical preparations. |
Example |
Dissolving more sugar in water than what can normally be dissolved at a particular temperature, then slowly cooling the solution without allowing sugar to precipitate. |
Dissolving the maximum amount of salt in water at a particular temperature and pressure. |
Dissolving a small amount of salt in water at a particular temperature and pressure. |
A mixture is a combination of two or more substances that are physically mixed together, but not chemically combined. In a mixture, the individual substances retain their own properties and can be separated from each other through physical means, such as filtration, distillation, or chromatography. Mixtures can occur in various forms, including solids, liquids, and gases, and can have different compositions and properties depending on the proportion of each component.
Mixtures can be classified into different types based on their uniformity or homogeneity:
Mixtures are different from compounds, which are formed when two or more elements chemically combine through chemical reactions and have fixed compositions and properties. In mixtures, the components can be separated without undergoing any chemical changes, while compounds require chemical reactions to separate their constituent elements.
Some examples of homogeneous and heterogeneous solutions include:
Solute |
Solvent |
Solution Formed |
Examples |
Gas |
Liquid |
Foam |
Soap Bubbles |
Liquid |
Liquid |
Emulsion |
Egg Yolk or Butter |
Liquid |
Solid |
Gel |
Gelatin |
Solid |
Solid |
Solid Sol |
Alloys, Gemstones |
Solid |
Gas |
Solid Aerosol |
Smoke |
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By - Nikita Parmar 2024-09-06 10:59:22 , 6 min readThere are several types of solutions based on different criteria, such as saturation, concentration, solvent, solute, conductivity, and composition. Examples include saturated, unsaturated, supersaturated, dilute, concentrated, aqueous, non-aqueous, hypotonic, hypertonic, isotonic, strong electrolyte, weak electrolyte, homogeneous, and heterogeneous solutions.
Solutions can be classified into two forms based on whether the solvent is water or not: Aqueous solution - When a solute is dissolved in water, the resulting solution is referred to as an aqueous solution. Non-aqueous solution - When a solute is dissolved in a solvent other than water, it is known as a non-aqueous solution.
A saturated solution is a type of solution that contains the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a particular temperature and pressure. It is in a state of dynamic equilibrium between dissolution and precipitation of the solute.
An unsaturated solution is a type of solution that contains less solute than the maximum amount that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a particular temperature and pressure. It has the potential to dissolve more solute.
A supersaturated solution is a type of solution that contains more solute than the maximum amount that can normally dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a particular temperature and pressure. It is unstable and can precipitate the excess solute with a slight disturbance.
A dilute solution is a type of solution that contains a relatively small amount of solute in a given amount of solvent. It has a low concentration of solute.
A concentrated solution is a type of solution that contains a relatively large amount of solute in a given amount of solvent. It has a high concentration of solute.
An aqueous solution is a type of solution where water is the solvent. It is the most common type of solution, with many substances dissolving in water to form aqueous solutions, such as saltwater, sugar water, and acid rain.
A non-aqueous solution is a type of solution where a solvent other than water is used. Examples include solutions made with organic solvents, such as alcohol, acetone, and benzene.
Hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic solutions refer to the concentration of solutes in relation to a cell. In a hypotonic solution, the solute concentration outside the cell is lower than inside, causing the cell to swell. In a hypertonic solution, the solute concentration outside the cell is higher than inside, causing the cell to shrink. In an isotonic solution, the solute concentration outside and inside the cell is equal, resulting in no net movement of water.
Strong and weak electrolytes refer to the ability of a solute to conduct electricity in a solution. A strong electrolyte dissociates fully into ions in solution and conducts electricity effectively, whereas a weak electrolyte only partially dissociates into ions and conducts electricity to a lesser extent.