Mixtures and Solutions

Science

A mixture in which the solid particles are large enough to be seen

Suspension

A mixture in which the solid particles are large enough to be seen. Suspension. In science, a suspension is a mixture where small solid particles are spread throughout a liquid but are not dissolved, making the liquid look cloudy.

A mixture in which the particles never settle

Colloid

A mixture in which the particles never settle. Colloid. A colloid is a mixture where very small particles are evenly distributed throughout another substance and do not settle out over time.

The random movement of particles in a colloid caused by collisions between the particles

Brownian motion

The random movement of particles in a colloid caused by collisions between the particles. Brownian motion. Brownian motion is the jittery movement of tiny particles in a fluid, caused by collisions with molecules in the liquid or gas.

The scattering of a light beam when it passes through a colloid

Tyndall effect

The scattering of a light beam when it passes through a colloid. Tyndall effect. The Tyndall effect is when particles in a mixture scatter light, making a beam visible.

Refers to the ability for a given substance, the solute, to dissolve in a solvent

Soluble

Refers to the ability for a given substance, the solute, to dissolve in a solvent. Soluble. In simple terms, soluble means a substance can mix into a liquid and disappear.

Capable of being mixed

Miscible

Capable of being mixed. Miscible. In Science, miscible means that two liquids can mix together completely without separating.

A term used to describe a substance that cannot be dissolved in a given solvent

Insoluble

A term used to describe a substance that cannot be dissolved in a given solvent. Insoluble. In Science, insoluble means a substance won't mix or dissolve in a liquid.

A term used to describe liquids that do not mix with each other to form a solution

Immiscible

A term used to describe liquids that do not mix with each other to form a solution immiscible. Immiscible means that two liquids, like oil and water, don't blend together and stay separate.

The amount of a particular solute in a given volume of solution

Concentration

The amount of a particular solute in a given volume of solution. Concentration. It describes how much of a substance is dissolved in a certain amount of liquid.

The number of moles of solute dissolved per liter of solution

Molarity

The number of moles of solute dissolved per liter of solution. Molarity. Molarity is a measure of how concentrated a solution is, telling us how much solute is present in a specific volume of liquid.

The ratio of moles of solute dissolved in one kilogram of solvent

Molality

The ratio of moles of solute dissolved in one kilogram of solvent. Molality is a measure of the concentration of a solution that expresses how many moles of a solute are present in a kilogram of the solvent.

$a fraction equal to the number of moles of a component, divided by the total number of moles in a solution$

A fraction equal to the number of moles of a component, divided by the total number of moles in a solution

Mole fraction

A fraction equal to the number of moles of a component, divided by the total number of moles in a solution. Mole fraction. It is a way to express the concentration of a specific component in a mixture or solution.

The process by which solvent molecules surround and interact with solute molecules

Solvation

The process by which solvent molecules surround and interact with solute molecules solvation. Solvation is when a liquid, like water, helps dissolve a substance by surrounding its particles.

A solution that can dissolve more solute at a given temperature

Unsaturated solution

A solution that can dissolve more solute at a given temperature unsaturated solution. An unsaturated solution is one that has not reached its limit of dissolved solute and can still dissolve more.

A solution that contains the maximum amount of dissolved solute at a given temperature

Saturated solution

A solution that contains the maximum amount of dissolved solute at a given temperature. Saturated solution. A saturated solution is when a liquid has dissolved as much of a substance as it can hold at a specific temperature.

A solution with more dissolved solute at a given temperature, than a saturated solution

Supersaturated solution

A solution with more dissolved solute at a given temperature, than a saturated solution. Supersaturated solution. In simple terms, a supersaturated solution contains more dissolved material than it would under normal circumstances, making it unstable.

The solubility of a gas in a liquid is directly proportional to the pressure of the gas above the liquid, at constant temperature

Henrys law

The solubility of a gas in a liquid is directly proportional to the pressure of the gas above the liquid, at constant temperature. Henry's law. Henry's law means that if you increase the pressure of a gas above a liquid, more of that gas will dissolve into the liquid.

A property of a solution that depends on the concentration of the solute, not its identity

Colligative property

A property of a solution that depends on the concentration of the solute, not its identity. Colligative property. Colligative properties are changes in a solution that happen because of how much stuff is dissolved in it, like lowering the freezing point or raising the boiling point.

The increase in boiling point caused by a solute that is dissolved in a solvent

Boiling point elevation

The increase in boiling point caused by a solute that is dissolved in a solvent. Boiling point elevation. Boiling point elevation is when adding a solute to a liquid makes it boil at a higher temperature than usual.

The difference in temperature between a solution's freezing point and the freezing point of its pure solvent

Freezing point depression

The difference in temperature between a solution's freezing point and the freezing point of its pure solvent. Freezing point depression. Freezing point depression is when adding a substance to a solvent lowers the temperature at which the liquid freezes.

The diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane

Osmosis

The diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane. Osmosis. Osmosis is when water moves from a place with more water to a place with less water through a special barrier.

The pressure that must be applied to a solution to prevent osmotic movement across a semipermeable membrane

Osmotic pressure

The pressure that must be applied to a solution to prevent osmotic movement across a semipermeable membrane. Osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure is the force needed to stop water from moving through a membrane to balance concentration.

A weak bond of attraction between a hydrogen atom and another atom

Hydrogen bond

A weak bond of attraction between a hydrogen atom and another atom. Hydrogen bond. A hydrogen bond is a weak attraction that occurs when a hydrogen atom is near a more electronegative atom like oxygen or nitrogen.

A process by which molecules or ionic compounds split into smaller particles

Dissociation

A process by which molecules or ionic compounds split into smaller particles. Dissociation. In simple terms, dissociation is when a compound breaks apart into smaller pieces, like how salt separates into ions in water.

A mixture of evenly distributed substances

Solution

A mixture of evenly distributed substances. Solution. A solution is a type of mixture where one substance is dissolved uniformly in another.

The substance that is dissolved to form a solution

Solute

The substance that is dissolved to form a solution. Solute. A solute is the ingredient that gets mixed into a liquid like salt in water to create a uniform solution.

The substance in which another substance is dissolved

Solvent

The substance in which another substance is dissolved. Solvent. In science, a solvent is a liquid that can dissolve other substances to form a solution.

A solution in which water is the solvent

Aqueous solution

A solution in which water is the solvent. Aqueous solution. An aqueous solution is simply when a substance is dissolved in water.

The adding of water molecules to a chemical substance

Hydration

The adding of water molecules to a chemical substance. Hydration. It is the process where a substance absorbs or combines with water.

A measure of how much solute will dissolve in a solvent

Solubility

A measure of how much solute will dissolve in a solvent is called solubility. Solubility is how well a substance can be dissolved in a liquid.

A substance that conducts electricity when dissolved in a solvent

Electrolyte

A substance that conducts electricity when dissolved in a solvent. Electrolyte. An electrolyte is a chemical that helps electricity flow through solutions by allowing ions to move.

A mixture of two or more immiscible liquids

Emulsion

A mixture of two or more immiscible liquids. Emulsion. An emulsion is a mixture where tiny droplets of one liquid are dispersed in another liquid, like oil in water.

A substance that does not form ions in water, and cannot conduct electricity

Nonelectrolyte

A substance that does not form ions in water, and cannot conduct electricity. Nonelectrolyte. A nonelectrolyte is a substance that dissolves in water without separating into ions, so it doesn't conduct electricity.

A compound that can completely dissociate into its ions when dissolved in water

Strong electrolyte

A compound that can completely dissociate into its ions when dissolved in water. Strong electrolyte. A strong electrolyte is a substance that fully separates into ions in water, conducting electricity very well.

Compounds, such as soap, that lower the surface tension between two liquids

Surfactant

Compounds, such as soap, that lower the surface tension between two liquids. Surfactant. A surfactant is a substance that helps liquids spread out more easily by reducing surface tension.

Is an electrolyte that does not completely dissociate (split into ions) in aqueous solution

Weak electrolyte

Is an electrolyte that does not completely dissociate split into ions in aqueous solution. Weak electrolyte. A weak electrolyte is a substance that only partially breaks into ions when dissolved in water.