Question

a student combines water and salt in beaker a and combines sand and soil in beaker b. how should the student best classify the substance in each beaker?
beaker a contains a mixture, and beaker b contains a solution.
beaker a contains a solution, and beaker b contains a mixture.
beaker a is a solvent, and beaker b is a solute.
beaker a is a solute, and beaker b is a solvent.

Explanation:

A solution is a homogeneous mixture where a solute (salt) dissolves completely in a solvent (water), so beaker A's contents form a solution. Beaker B has sand and soil, which are physically mixed but not dissolved, creating a heterogeneous mixture. Solvent/solute terms refer to components of a solution, not the entire mixture, so those options are incorrect.

Answer:

Beaker A contains a solution, and beaker B contains a mixture.