Solution 

When two or more chemically non-reacting substances are mixed together forming a homogeneous mixture then this mixture is called solution.

When the solution is composed of only two chemical substances, it is termed as binary solution, similarly, it is called tertiary and quaternary if it is composed of three and four components respectively.

Solution = Solute + Solvent

1.0Component of Solutions

Solute

Generally, the component present in lesser amount than other component in solution is called solute.

Solvent

Generally, the component present in greater amount than all other components is called the solvent.

● Physical state of solvent and solution is same.

Example:- In a syrup (liquid solution) containing 60% sugar (a solid) and 40% water (a liquid - same aggregation as solution), water is termed as the solvent.

On the basis of amount of solute solutions can be classified in two ways. 

Unsaturated Solution

When the amount of solute contained in a solution is less than the saturation level, the solution is said to be an unsaturated solution. 

Saturated Solution

The maximum amount of solute in grams, that can be dissolved in given amount of a solvent at a particular temperature such a solution is called saturated solution.

Super Saturated Solution

● A solution containing more amount of solute than that required for saturation of a given amount of solvent at a particular temperature, is called a supersaturated solution.

● It is unstable system.

On the Basis of Solvent

● Aqueous Solution: - The solution obtained by dissolving various substance in water are called aqueous solution. 

Example: Common salt dissolved in water

Sugar dissolved in water

Acetic acid dissolved in water.

● Non-Aqueous Solution: - The solution obtained by dissolving the substance in liquids other than water are called non-aqueous solution. 

Example:   Iodine dissolved in carbon tetrachloride

Sulphur dissolved in carbon disulphide

Sugar dissolved in alcohol.

2.0Types of Solution

There may be the following nine types of binary solutions –

3.0Properties of Solutions

(i) A solution is a homogeneous mixture. 

(ii) The size of solute particles in a solution is extremely small. It is less than 1 nm (10^–9 m) in diameter.

(iii) The particles of a solution cannot be seen even with a microscope. 

(iv) The particles of a solution pass through the filter paper. So, a solution cannot be separated by filtration. 

(v) The solutions are very stable. The particles of solute present in a solution do not separate out on keeping it undisturbed. 

(vi) A true solution does not scatter light passing through the solution (because its particles are very small). 

(vii) The components of a solution do not chemically react with one another. 

(viii) A solution is always transparent in nature. 

(ix) From a true solution, the solute can be easily recovered by evaporation or crystallisation

(x) The properties of a solution are the properties of its components. i.e. the components do not loose their properties when they form a solution.

(xi) The composition of a solution is not definite but can vary within certain limits.

4.0Also Read