Solutions (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Combined Science): Revision Note

Solutions

• You need to know all the following terms used when describing solutions:

Terminology about solutions

• Solvent

  • The liquid in which a solute dissolves

  • Example: The water in seawater

• Solute

  • The substance which dissolves in a liquid to form a solution

  • Example: The salt in seawater

• Solution

  • The mixture formed when a solute is dissolved in a solvent

  • Example: Seawater

• Saturated solution

  • A solution with the maximum concentration of solute dissolved in the solvent, at a given temperature

  • Example: Seawater in the Dead Sea

• Soluble

  • A substance that will dissolve

  • Example: Salt is soluble in water

• Insoluble

  • A substance that will not dissolve

  • Example: Sand is insoluble in water

• Filtrate

  • The liquid or solution that has passed through a filter

  • Example: Fresh coffee in a cup

• Residue

  • The substance that remains after evaporation, distillation, filtration or any other similar process

  • Example: Coffee grounds in filter paper