Final answer:
A solution is a homogeneous mixture where a solute is dissolved in a solvent. Solutions can be gas in gas (like air), gas in liquid (like carbonated water), liquid in liquid (like vinegar), or solid in solid (like steel). The type is determined by the solute's and solvent's phase, but the solution itself is in the solvent's phase.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of Solution
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances. In such a mixture, a solute is a substance dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solution has a single phase - the phase of the solvent.
Types of Solutions
Solutions can be classified into different types based on the physical state of the solvent and the solute:
Gas in gas: Air is an example of a gas solution, consisting of about 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen along with other gases in smaller amounts.
Gas in liquid: Carbonated water is an example where the gas (carbon dioxide) is dissolved in a liquid (water).
Liquid in liquid: Vinegar is an example of a liquid solution, where acetic acid is the solute and water is the solvent.
Solid in solid: Metal alloys like steel, which is a combination of iron, carbon, and other metals, are examples of solid solutions.
Examples of Solutions
Solutions exist for every possible phase of the solute and the solvent. However, the overall phase of the solution is the same as the solvent's. Saltwater is a solution where solid NaCl (solute) is dissolved in liquid water (solvent), and an alloy is a solid solution where one metal is dissolved in another.