Almost everything we use in our daily lives contains solutions, including soda, deodorant, sugar, salt, etc. A solution is a mixture in which two or more substances combine to produce a single solution; we can also term it simple because the properties of the two substances may or may not have altered.

What is a Solution?

According to the definition, a binary solution is a homogenous mixture of two components. The solute and the solvent are the two chemicals or components. The material that dissolves is known as the solute. It is present in a lesser amount. The solvent, on the other hand, is the liquid that dissolves the solute. It is present in a disproportionately significant amount.

Components of Solution

The solute and the solvent combine to form a solution in a homogeneous mixture. . In a solution, a solute is a substance that has a lower concentration and dissolves in a solvent that has a higher concentration. The state of the solvent usually determines the final state of homogeneous solutions. However, the state of the solute makes no difference in the solution as long as they are soluble in the solvent.

Characteristics of Solutions 

The following are some of the characteristics of solutions:

• A homogeneous mixture of two or more components is referred to as a solution.
• Filtration will not be able to separate the solute from the solution once it has been generated.
• A light beam is not permitted to pass through the solution.
• The particles of the solute inside the solution are invisible to the naked eye.
• A solution is stable and is made up of only one phase.

Type of Solutions

Several factors affect the type of solution, such as the solvent or the solute. Let us take a quick glance in the section below: 

Based on the Use of Water as a Solvent

There are two sorts of solutions depending on whether the solvent is water or not.

Aqueous solutions: These solutions are those in which the solvent is water. Sugar in water, carbon dioxide in water, and other similar solutions are some of the examples.

Non-Aqueous Solutions: These solutions do not use water as a solvent. It could be ether, benzene, gasoline, carbon tetrachloride, or another substance. Sulfur in carbon disulphide, naphthalene in benzene are some of the examples.

2. Various Sorts of Solutions Based on the Amount of Solute Supplied

The solution can be divided into three categories based on the amount of solute contained in the solution.

Saturated Solutions: At a given temperature, a solution is said to be saturated when it is no longer able to dissolve any more solute in the solvent.

Unsaturated Solutions: The solution is termed unsaturated if it can still dissolve more solute in the solvent.

Supersaturated Solutions: The solutions in which the solute is present in excess and is forcefully dissolved in the solvent by raising the temperature are supersaturated solutions. With the help of the crystallization process, these extra solute particles are later detected in the form of crystals.

3. Various Sorts of Solutions Based on the Amount of Solvent Used

On the basis of the amount of solvent present in the solution, solutions can be divided into two types.

Concentrated Solutions: The solution can be divided into two types based on the amount of solvent present in the solution.

Dilute Solutions: Dilute Solutions are made up of a small amount of solute and a large amount of solvent.

4. Different Sorts of Solutions Based on the Amount of Solute Concentration in Two Different Solutions

The concentration of the solvent in two solvents (in a beaker and a cell in it) in the solution can be categorised into three types.

Hypotonic Solutions: Hypertonic Solutions are ones in which the solute concentration in a beaker is higher than that in the cell, causing water to leak out of the cell, causing the cell to plasmolyze/ shrink.

Hypotonic Liquids: Hypotonic Solutions are ones in which the concentration of solute in a beaker is lower than that in the cell, allowing water to enter the cell and cause it to inflate and burst.

Isotonic Solutions: Because the concentration of solute in both the beaker and the cell is the same, the water will travel around the cell in both directions.

We hope you found this article on ‘Types of Solutions’ useful. If you have any questions on the different types of solutions in chemistry, please reach out to us and we will respond as soon as possible. Keep an eye out on Embibe for more such articles.