The substance in a solution that does the dissolving, typically present in the larger amount.
The 'background' substance that the solute dissolves into. Water is called the 'universal solvent' because it dissolves so many things.
Showing a random 20 of 50 problems.
Example 1
challenge
A 'green' chemist replaces dichloromethane with ethanol as the solvent for an extraction. State two practical reasons this can work, and one chemical caveat.
Example 2
medium
100mL of 0.40M NaCl is diluted by adding 300mL water (the solvent). What is the new concentration?
Example 3
easy
Nail polish remover dissolves polish using acetone. What is the solvent?
Example 4
challenge
In a 60 g acetone + 40 g water mixture used to clean a surface, identify the solvent, and explain how the answer would change if amounts were reversed.
Example 5
medium
Why does oil (nonpolar) fail to dissolve in water (polar)? State the rule that governs this.
Example 6
easy
Fill in the blank: The component of a solution present in the larger amount is the ____.
Example 7
medium
A grease stain resists water but lifts with dish soap. Explain the solvent-related role soap plays.
Example 8
medium
A chemist needs to dissolve a nonpolar wax. Should they choose water or hexane as the solvent, and why?
Example 9
easy
In sugar dissolved in tea, what is the solvent?
Example 10
hard
A solution of I2 in CCl4 shows a violet color. The same I2 does NOT noticeably dissolve in water. Identify the solvents and explain.
Example 11
medium
In brass (mostly copper), explain why copper is the solvent and what kind of solution this forms.Brass: a solid solution where copper (solvent) and zinc (solute) atoms share a lattice
Example 12
easy
True or false: A solvent must always be a liquid.A solid solution: the solvent is solid, not liquid — so the claim is FALSE
Example 13
medium
Explain 'like dissolves like' using the example of oil and water versus oil and hexane.
Example 14
easy
In gasoline, additives are dissolved in a hydrocarbon mixture. What is the solvent?
Example 15
medium
Dry-cleaning uses a nonpolar solvent instead of water. Why is this an advantage for greasy stains?
Example 16
hard
Vegetable oil and vinegar (mostly water) do not mix. Identify the two possible solvents and explain the immiscibility in polarity terms.
Example 17
easy
In sugar water, which substance is the solvent?
Example 18
medium
More sugar dissolves in hot water than in cold water. What does this say about the solvent's temperature and its capacity?
Example 19
medium
A perfume contains essential oils dissolved in ethanol. Identify the solvent and explain why water is a poor substitute.