Common Solvents:
* Water (H₂O): A universal solvent, dissolving many salts, sugars, and some gases.
* Ethanol (C₂H₅OH): Used in alcoholic beverages, perfumes, and as a solvent in many chemical reactions.
* Acetone (CH₃COCH₃): A common solvent used in nail polish remover and paint thinner.
* Hexane (C₆H₁₄): Used in the extraction of oils and fats.
* Diethyl ether (C₄H₁₀O): Used as a solvent in organic chemistry.
* Toluene (C₇H₈): Used as a solvent in paints, adhesives, and resins.
Other Solvents:
* Acids: Strong acids like hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) are powerful solvents that can dissolve metals.
* Bases: Strong bases like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) can dissolve fats, oils, and proteins.
* Organic solvents: A large group of solvents used in various applications, including cleaning, extraction, and chemical synthesis.
* Supercritical fluids: Fluids at extremely high temperatures and pressures, capable of dissolving a wide range of substances.
Factors Affecting Solvency:
* Polarity: Polar solvents like water dissolve polar solutes, while nonpolar solvents like hexane dissolve nonpolar solutes. "Like dissolves like."
* Temperature: Increasing temperature generally increases the solubility of solids and gases in liquids.
* Pressure: Increasing pressure generally increases the solubility of gases in liquids.
It's important to note that:
* The term "dissolving" refers to the process of a solute being dispersed evenly throughout a solvent, forming a homogeneous mixture called a solution.
* Some substances may not dissolve completely, forming a suspension or a colloid instead of a solution.
* The ability of a solvent to dissolve a solute is not absolute but rather depends on various factors, including the specific solute, solvent, and environmental conditions.
