Grade 11 General Science: Examples and Classifications of Solutions

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering physical states of solutions, components, saturation levels, concentration comparisons, and osmotic tonicity effects from Grade 11 General Science.

Solute

The part of a solution that is being dissolved, usually present in the lesser amount.

Solvent

The part of a solution that dissolves the solute, usually present in the greater amount.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture formed when a solute dissolves in a solvent ($\text{Solute} + \text{Solvent} = \text{Solution}$).

Aerogel

An example of a solution consisting of a gas solute dispersed in a solid solvent.

Brass

A solid-in-solid solution (metal alloy) composed of copper ($\text{Cu}$) and zinc ($\text{Zn}$).

Bronze

A solid-in-solid metal alloy composed of copper ($\text{Cu}$) and tin ($\text{Sn}$) or other metals.

Air

A homogeneous gas-in-gas solution consisting primarily of nitrogen ($\text{N}_2$, $78\%$) and oxygen ($\text{O}_2$, $21\%$), with argon and other gases ($1\%$).

Unsaturated Solution

A solution that contains less than the maximum amount of solute; more solute can dissolve easily.

Saturated Solution

A solution that holds the maximum amount of solute at a given temperature, where extra added solute settles undissolved at the bottom.

Supersaturated Solution

An unstable solution holding more dissolved solute than normal at a given temperature (e.g., cooled syrup forming rock candy).

Concentrated Solution

A solution containing a large amount of solute relative to the solvent (e.g., pancake syrup, liquid dish soap, espresso).

Diluted Solution

A solution containing a small amount of solute in a large volume of solvent (e.g., $4\%$ household vinegar, $3\%$ hydrogen peroxide, weak saltwater gargle).

Isotonic Solution

A solution having an equal solute concentration relative to cells, resulting in zero net $\text{H}_2\text{O}$ movement (e.g., $0.9\%$ normal saline, plain cow's milk).

Hypotonic Solution

A solution having a lower solute concentration than cells, causing $\text{H}_2\text{O}$ to enter the cells and make them swell (e.g., distilled water, unsweetened tea).

Hypertonic Solution

A solution having a higher solute concentration than cells, which pulls $\text{H}_2\text{O}$ out of cells and causes them to shrink or become crenated (e.g., heavy brine, maple syrup, honey).

Crenation

The shrinking or shriveling of a red blood cell when placed in a hypertonic medium due to water exiting the cell.

$0.9\%$ Normal Saline

An isotonic physiological solution that matches human red blood cell concentration, preventing cell swelling or shrinkage when administered intravenously.

Soda Water

An example of a gas-in-liquid solution, composed of carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$) gas dissolved in liquid water ($\text{H}_2\text{O}$).

Rubbing Alcohol

A liquid-in-liquid solution made of miscible isopropyl alcohol dissolved in water ($\text{H}_2\text{O}$).