S O L U T I O N S A N D C O L L I G AT I V E P R O P E R T I E S

Study Guide > S O L U T I O N S A N D C O L L I G AT I V E P R O P E R T I E S

Durban University of Technology CHEM ENG DESIGN 1. INTRODUCTION (a) Solutions are homogenous mixtures of two or more substances. (b) We call what is being dissolved in the solution as a “solute”: for, it is the active ‘ingredient’ of that particular solution. (c) In the same way, in what we are dissolving the solute is termed as a “solvent”: Typically, the ...[Show More]

Durban University of Technology
CHEM ENG DESIGN

1. INTRODUCTION
(a) Solutions are homogenous mixtures of two or more substances.
(b) We call what is being dissolved in the solution as a “solute”: for, it is the active ‘ingredient’ of that particular
solution.
(c) In the same way, in what we are dissolving the solute is termed as a “solvent”: Typically, there is more solvent
than any solute.
(d) Further, solutes and solvents can be technically in any state of matter.
Solutions that contain relatively high concentration of a solute are called concentrated solutions, whereas solutions
that contain relatively low concentration of a solute are called dilute solutions.
Let us now discuss saturated, unsaturated and supersaturated solutions.
Generally by saturated solution we mean a solution, which contains as much solute as it can hold particularly at a
given temperature. Similarly, a solution, which contains comparatively less solute than the quantity of solute it can
actually hold is called a unsaturated solution. Further, a solution is called a supersaturated solution, if it contains
comparatively more solute than the quantity it can actually hold at a particular temperature.
Binary solutions are such solutions that hold only two components.
We now proceed to discuss various types of solutions.
Table 20.1: Types of Solutions

S. No.	Solute	Solvent	Type of solution	Example
SOLID SOLUTIONS (solid solvent)
1. 2. 3.	Solid Liquid Gas	Solid Solid Solid	Solid in solid Liquid in solid Gas in solid	Alloy (brass, German silver, bronze, 22 carat gold, etc.) Hydrated salts, amalgam of Hg with Na Dissolved gases in minerals or H2 in Pd
LIQUID SOLUTIONS (liquid solvent)
4. 5. 6.	Solid Liquid Gas	Liquid Liquid Liquid	Solid in solid Liquid in solid Gas in solid	Salt or glucose or sugar or urea solution in water Methanol or ethanol in water Aerated drinks, O2 in water

20.2 | Solutions and Colligative Properties

S. No.	Solute	Solvent	Type of solution	Example
GASEOUS SOLUTIONS (gaseous solvent)
7. 8. 9.	Solid Liquid Gas	Gas Gas Gas	Solid in Gas Liquid in Gas Gas in Gas	Iodine vapors in air, camphor in N2 gas Humidity air, chloroform mixed with N2 gas Air (O2 + N2)