Final answer:
A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute to form a solution. It can be in various states such as liquid, solid, or gas, and is often used in different industries. Water is the most common solvent, especially in biological contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
A solvent is a substance that can dissolve a solute, resulting in a solution. Typically, a solvent is a liquid, but it can also be a solid, a gas, or a supercritical fluid. The solubility of a solute in a solvent may vary depending on factors like temperature. Solvents are essential in many applications across different industries such as chemical syntheses, purification processes, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and more.
A common example of a solvent is water, which is considered the universal solvent because of its capability to dissolve many substances. This occurs through the process of dissolution, where solute particles are surrounded by solvent molecules. When these interactions are favorable, the solute dissolves homogeneously, creating an aqueous solution if the solvent is water.
In a solution, the solvent is present in a greater amount than the solute. The state of the solvent usually determines the state of the solution. Solutions can be gaseous, liquid, or solid, and they form when a solvent effectively dissolves a solute to create a uniform mixture.