aqueous solution
Solutions We have previously defined solutions as homogeneous mixtures, meaning that the composition of the mixture and therefore its properties is uniform throughout its entire volume. Solutions occur frequently in nature and have also been implemented in many forms of manmade technology. We will explore a more thorough treatment of solution properties in the chapter on solutions and colloids, but here we will introduce some of the basic properties of solutions. The relative amount of a given solution component is known as its concentration. Often, though not always, a solution contains one component with a concentration that is significantly greater than that of all other components. This component is called the solvent and may be viewed as the medium in which the other components are dispersed, or dissolved. Solutions in which water is the solvent are, of course, very common on our planet. A solution in which water is the solvent is called an aqueous solution. A solute is a component of a solution that is typically present at a much lower concentration than the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute of relatively low concentration and concentrated of relatively high concentration . Concentrations may be quantitatively assessed using a wide variety of measurement units, each convenient for particular applications. Molarity M is a useful concentration unit for many applications in chemistry. Molarity is defined as the number of moles of solute in exactly 1 liter 1 L of the solution: M = mol solute L solution.