In a solution, the dissolving medium is called the solvent.

In a solution, the dissolving medium is called the solvent.

• A. Solute
• B. Precipitate
• C. Solvent
• D. Solution

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is that the solvent is the substance that does the dissolving in a solution. In any solution, the solvent is the component present in the greatest amount and acts as the medium in which the solute dissolves. For example, when table salt dissolves in water, water is the solvent and salt is the solute. Together they form a uniform mixture called a solution. A precipitate, on the other hand, is a solid that forms and comes out of solution, not the dissolving medium. So the term that names the dissolving medium is solvent.

The key idea here is that the solvent is the substance that does the dissolving in a solution. In any solution, the solvent is the component present in the greatest amount and acts as the medium in which the solute dissolves. For example, when table salt dissolves in water, water is the solvent and salt is the solute. Together they form a uniform mixture called a solution. A precipitate, on the other hand, is a solid that forms and comes out of solution, not the dissolving medium. So the term that names the dissolving medium is solvent.