Question

a solution has certain characteristics:

• it is ______ or homogeneous, throughout the mixture
• it is ______ over time or settle
• the solute particles are so small

______ by filtering

• the solute and solvent molecules ______ distinguished by the naked eye
• it ______ scatter a beam of light

example of a solution
one example of a solution ____ which is a mixture of water and salt. you ____ and the salt and water will stay a solution if left alone.
parts of a solution

• solute - the solute is the substance that is ______.
• in the example above, the ______ is the solute.
• solvent - the solvent is the substance that

____. in the example above the ____ is the solvent.

Explanation:

To fill in the blanks, we use the properties of solutions (from Chemistry, a subfield of Natural Science):

1. First blank (uniformity): Solutions are uniform (or homogeneous) throughout.
2. Second blank (stability over time): Solutions do not separate over time (they are stable and solute doesn’t settle).
3. Third blank (filtration): Solute particles are too small to be separated by filtering (filters can’t trap them).
4. Fourth blank (naked eye distinction): Solute and solvent molecules cannot be distinguished by the naked eye (they mix at a molecular level).
5. Fifth blank (light scattering): Solutions do not scatter a beam of light (unlike colloids/suspensions).

Example of a Solution:

• One example is salt water (mixture of water and salt).
• You can stir to dissolve (or “mix them”), and the solution remains stable.

Parts of a Solution:

• Solute: The substance that is dissolved. In salt water, salt is the solute.
• Solvent: The substance that dissolves the solute (usually present in excess). In salt water, water is the solvent.

Answer:

Characteristics of a Solution:

• It is $\boldsymbol{\text{uniform}}$, or homogeneous, throughout the mixture
• It is $\boldsymbol{\text{does not separate}}$ over time or settle
• The solute particles are so small $\boldsymbol{\text{that they cannot be separated}}$ by filtering
• The solute and solvent molecules $\boldsymbol{\text{cannot be}}$ distinguished by the naked eye
• It $\boldsymbol{\text{does not}}$ scatter a beam of light

Example of a Solution:

One example of a solution $\boldsymbol{\text{is salt water}}$ which is a mixture of water and salt. You $\boldsymbol{\text{can mix them (or “stir to dissolve”)}}$ and the salt and water will stay a solution if left alone.

Parts of a Solution:

• Solute - The solute is the substance that is $\boldsymbol{\text{dissolved}}$.
• In the example above, the $\boldsymbol{\text{salt}}$ is the solute.
• Solvent - The solvent is the substance that $\boldsymbol{\text{dissolves the solute}}$. In the example above, the $\boldsymbol{\text{water}}$ is the solvent.