Solute

What is Solute?

A substance that is dissolved in a solvent. Sodium chloride is the solute in salt solution. A solid mixed with a liquid is only a solute if it actually dissolves; sand stirred into water is a suspended solid, not a solute.

This definition is part of the Experimental Techniques and Chemical Analysis chapter in Cambridge O Level Chemistry.

Concepts related to Solute

• Solvent
• solubility
• Residue

Common mistakes with Solute

• 6. Solute and solvent Fix The solute is dissolved; the solvent does the dissolving. In salt water the solute is salt and the solvent is water. Say which is which explicitly — a lot of definition marks are lost by writing the pair the wrong way round under time pressure.
• 4. “A saturated solution is one where no more will dissolve.” Why it fails Warm it and more will dissolve, so the statement describes something that changes as soon as the temperature does. Correct A solution containing the maximum concentration of a solute dissolved in the solvent at a specified temperature. Check Why do crystals form when a hot saturated solution cools? Only the full definition, with temperature in it, can answer that.
• 22. “Statement 12.1.3 is about collecting and drying gases.” Why it fails Statement 12.1.3 is the six definitions — solvent, solute, solution, saturated solution, residue and filtrate. Gas collection and drying methods are not part of Topic 12 for this cycle. Correct Learn the six definitions for 12.1.3, in the official wording. Check If a revision resource lists upward delivery and drying agents under 12.1.3, it is describing an older specification.