Final answer:
A solution is a homogeneous mixture of a solute dissolved in a solvent, often water, resulting in a uniform composition. Factors like polarity and solubility dictate whether substances can form a solution. Examples include saltwater solutions and oil and water, which do not mix due to being immiscible.
Step-by-step explanation:
A solution is defined as a homogeneous mixture in which a solute is dissolved into a solvent. When referring to a solution where the solvent is water, it is called an aqueous solution. Such an aqueous solution can consist of dissolved substances like solids, gases, or other liquids, creating a uniform composition throughout the mixture.
For instance, when table salt (sodium chloride) is dissolved in water, it forms a clear, homogeneous mixture known as a saltwater solution. However, not all substances can form solutions with one another. Factors such as polarity and solubility determine whether a particular solute and solvent can create a solution. Oil and water are an example of an immiscible mixture, where they do not form a clear solution due to different polarities.
In a solution, the solute's particles are dispersed at a molecular level, and they do not settle out or separate from the solvent. Therefore, a solution appears clear, like the saltwater in an aquarium. A mixture like milk, however, is a colloidal suspension where particles are larger, and in a suspension like mud, the particles are even larger and can settle over time.