Which statement describes the role of a solvent in a solution?

Which statement describes the role of a solvent in a solution?

• A. It dissolves the solute and is usually present in a larger quantity.
• B. It is the solute that dissolves.
• C. It determines the color of the solution.
• D. It is always a pure substance.

Answer: (A)

The basic idea is that the solvent is the substance in a solution that does the dissolving and is present in the larger amount, forming the medium in which the solute disperses. When you dissolve a substance like table salt in water, water acts as the solvent because it is the larger component and enables the salt to dissolve. The solvent’s role is to interact with and surround the solute particles, pulling them apart so the mixture becomes a uniform solution. Color in a solution isn’t determined by the solvent alone; it usually comes from the dissolved substances or impurities. Also, a solvent isn’t required to be a pure substance — many solvents are mixed or impure. So describing the solvent as the one that dissolves the solute and is present in a larger quantity captures its essential role.

The basic idea is that the solvent is the substance in a solution that does the dissolving and is present in the larger amount, forming the medium in which the solute disperses. When you dissolve a substance like table salt in water, water acts as the solvent because it is the larger component and enables the salt to dissolve. The solvent’s role is to interact with and surround the solute particles, pulling them apart so the mixture becomes a uniform solution. Color in a solution isn’t determined by the solvent alone; it usually comes from the dissolved substances or impurities. Also, a solvent isn’t required to be a pure substance — many solvents are mixed or impure. So describing the solvent as the one that dissolves the solute and is present in a larger quantity captures its essential role.