Final answer:
To prepare a solution from a dry solute and the solvent, weigh out the solute, dissolve it in a half-filled volumetric flask with the solvent, fill to the line, and mix well.
Step-by-step explanation:
Preparation of a Solution from a Dry Solute and the Solvent
To prepare a solution of known concentration from a dry solute and the solvent, follow these steps:
Weigh the appropriate mass of the solute using an analytical balance.
Add the solute to a volumetric flask that has been about half-filled with the solvent (typically distilled water).
Swirl the volumetric flask until all of the solute dissolves.
Carefully add more solvent up to the fill line etched on the neck of the volumetric flask.
Cap the flask and invert it several times to ensure a homogeneous mixture of solute and solvent.
Examples of how this process can be applied:
Preparing a cobalt(II) chloride dihydrate solution in ethanol.
Creating a 95% ethyl alcohol solution, with ethyl alcohol being the solvent and water being the solute.
Understanding the terms such as saturated and concentrated is also critical in the preparation of solutions. Saturated refers to a solution that cannot dissolve any more solute at a given temperature, while concentrated refers to a solution that has a large amount of solute relative to the solvent.