Solutions and Other Mixtures-03

Mixtures can also be homogeneous. In a homogenous mixture, one of the ingredients has a very small particle size, and it is uniformly distributed in another ingredient. The small particles spread out, so you cannot see them any more. This process is called dissolving. We call these mixtures as a solution.

A solution is a mixture of one substance (the solute) uniformly distributed in another (the solvent).

When you place a sugar cube in a beaker of hot water, the sugar cube begins to dissolve. Particles of solid sugar spread out into the water slowly and the sugar cube is gone. All the sugar is still there, but you cannot see the individual sugar crystals. How do you know that the sugar is still present? Well, if you were not in a Science lab, you could taste it! Since it is not safe to drink from glassware, you will have to use another method. You can place a small amount of the sugar and water solution on black construction paper. The water will evaporate, leaving the solid sugar particles behind.

The amount of sugar that can be dissolved depends on how much water is present. Eventually the solvent (water) will reach a point where there is no more room to dissolve any more sugar (solute). At this point, the solution is saturated. This means there is no more room for sugar to spread out. Now, any sugar added will go to the bottom of the container.