Subsection 9.2.1 Types of Solution
There are several types of solutions, based on their composition and properties. Here are some common types of solutions:
- Homogeneous solutions: These are solutions that have uniform composition and properties throughout. The solute particles are evenly distributed in the solvent. Examples include saltwater, sugar water, and ethanol-water mixtures.
- Heterogeneous solutions: These are solutions that have non-uniform composition and properties. The solute particles are not evenly distributed in the solvent. Examples include suspensions, emulsions, and colloids.
- Dilute solutions: These are solutions that have a low concentration of solute. The amount of solute is relatively small compared to the amount of solvent. Examples include a drop of food coloring in a glass of water or a pinch of salt in a pot of soup.
- Concentrated solutions: These are solutions that have a high concentration of solute. The amount of solute is relatively large compared to the amount of solvent. Examples include concentrated sulfuric acid, concentrated sodium hydroxide, and concentrated ammonia solutions.
- Saturated solutions: These are solutions that contain the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a particular temperature and pressure. Any additional solute added to the solution will not dissolve and will remain as a solid. Examples include sugar-water solutions and saltwater solutions.
- Unsaturated solutions: These are solutions that contain less than the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a particular temperature and pressure. More solute can be added to the solution and dissolved. Examples include weak tea and weak coffee.
- Supersaturated solutions: These are solutions that contain more solute than what can theoretically dissolve at a given temperature and pressure. These solutions are not stable and can spontaneously crystallize, forming a precipitate or solid out of excess solute. Examples include supersaturated sugar-water solutions and supersaturated sodium acetate solutions.
There are also several types of solutions based on the phases of the solute and solvent. Here are some common types of solutions:
- Solid-solid solutions: It is also known as solid solutions or alloys, are homogeneous mixtures of two or more solid elements or compounds. In a solid solution, the atoms of one component are dispersed uniformly throughout the crystal lattice of the other component, resulting in a single, continuous phase. Examples of solid-solid solutions include brass, which is an alloy of copper and zinc; steel, which is an alloy of iron and carbon; and bronze, which is an alloy of copper and tin.
- Liquid-liquid solutions: These are solutions in which the solute and solvent are both liquids. Examples include milk in water, ethanol in water, and benzene in toluene.
- Gas-liquid solutions: also known as gas solutions. These are solutions in which the solute is a gas that dissolves in a liquid solvent. Examples include cold drink, carbon dioxide in water, oxygen in blood, and nitrogen in beer.
- Solid-liquid solutions: Here solid is solute and liquid is solvent. For example: salt water solution, sugar water solution.