Final answer:
A solvent is a substance capable of dissolving a solute to form a solution, and can be a liquid, solid, gas, or supercritical fluid. Water is the most common solvent, crucial for biological systems and various industries. Solvents are important in chemical syntheses and purification processes. Option 1 is correct
Step-by-step explanation:
A solvent is a substance that has the capability to dissolve a solute, which in the process forms a solution. This dissolving agent can exist in multiple states such as a liquid, solid, gas, or supercritical fluid. The most commonly recognized solvent is water, often called the 'universal solvent' because it can dissolve a wide range of substances, making it critical for biological systems and many industrial applications.
In the context of a solution, the solute is the material that is being dissolved, whereas the solvent is the medium that facilitates the dissolution. The interaction between the solvent and the solute depends on the chemical properties of both, following the principle of 'like dissolves like,' which suggests that polar solvents dissolve polar solutes, and nonpolar solvents dissolve nonpolar solutes.
Solvents play significant roles in various sectors including the chemical, pharmaceutical, oil, and gas industries, not only for dissolving substances but also for enabling chemical reactions and purification processes. For example, organic solvents like acetone and ethanol are used in nail polish removers and as carrier substances in perfumes, respectively. Moreover, in biological contexts, the solvent water forms aqueous solutions where it dissolves ions and proteins essential for cellular functions.