Answer:
When discussing the concentration of a solute in a solution, there are several ways to express it. The choice of method depends on the specific requirements of the situation and the nature of the solute and solvent involved. Here are some common ways to express solute concentration:
Molarity (M): Molarity is one of the most frequently used units of concentration. It represents the number of moles of solute dissolved in one liter of solution. Molarity (M) is calculated by dividing the moles of solute by the volume of the solution in liters.
Molality (m): Molality is similar to molarity, but it expresses the concentration of the solute in terms of the number of moles of solute per kilogram of solvent. Molality (m) is calculated by dividing the moles of solute by the mass of the solvent in kilograms.
Mass percent (% m/m): Mass percent is a ratio of the mass of the solute to the total mass of the solution, expressed as a percentage. It is calculated by dividing the mass of the solute by the mass of the solution and multiplying by 100.
Volume percent (% v/v): Volume percent is similar to mass percent, but it represents the ratio of the volume of the solute to the total volume of the solution, expressed as a percentage. It is calculated by dividing the volume of the solute by the volume of the solution and multiplying by 100.
Parts per million (ppm) and parts per billion (ppb): These units are used when the solute concentration is extremely low. Parts per million represents the ratio of the number of moles of solute to one million moles of solution, while parts per billion represents the ratio of the number of moles of solute to one billion moles of solution.
Normality (N): Normality is a concentration unit that takes into account the chemical reactivity of the solute. It represents the number of equivalents of solute per liter of solution, where an equivalent is a measure of the solute's ability to undergo a chemical reaction.
It's important to note that these concentration units may vary depending on the field of study or specific application. Choosing the appropriate unit is crucial for accurate communication and analysis in the context of solute concentration.
Step-by-step explanation: