Solutions

Solutions
Solutions
Definition
• A homogeneous mixture of two or
more substances
• Uniform in composition and
properties
Components
• Solutes
– Dissolved substances
– Substance present in smaller quantity
• Solvents
– Dissolving medium
– Substance present in greater quantity
 Test your knowledge…
Identify the solute and solvent in the following
solutions:

• Potassium chloride (KCl crystals)

and water
• 10cm3 acetone + 20 cm3 alcohol
• 75% nitrogen gas + 25% oxygen
gas
Types
• Properties
• Concentration
• Ability to conduct electric current
Classification according to
phase

liquid

solid gaseous
 Classification according to
Concentrations
• Saturated solutions
– A solution which
contains, at a specific
temperature, an
amount of solute that it
can normally hold in the
presence of a given
amount of solvent.
 Classification according to
Concentrations
• Unsaturated solutions
– A solution which
contains less
amount of solute
that it can normally
hold
 Classification according to
Concentrations
• Supersaturated
solutions
– A solution which
contains more
solute than what it
can normally hold
 Classification according to
Concentrations
• Laboratory terms
– Dilute
• Solutions which contains small quantity of
solute relative to the solvent
– Concentrated
• Solutions which contains large amounts of
solute compared to the amount of solvent
present
 Classification according to
Electrical Conductivity
• Electrolytes
– Solutions that conduct electricity
– Substances that are ions in solution
– Cations (K+, Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+) & anions (Cl-,
CO32-)
• Non-electrolytes
– Solutions that do not conduct electricity
 Examples of Electrolytes
 Strong electrolyte  Weak  Non-electrolyte
electrolyte
 Sea water  Tap water  Chemically pure
water
 Hydrochloric acid  Carbonic acid  Alcohol
 Sulphuric acid  Acetic acid  Kerosene
 Aqueous copper  Ammonium  Aqueous sugar
sulphate hydroxide solution
 Molten lead bromide  Citric acid  Carbon disulphide
 Aqueous sodium  Oxalic acid  
chloride
 Nitric acid    
 Aqueous potassium    
hydroxide
A simple set-
up of a
conductivity
apparatus