* Solute: The substance being dissolved (e.g., sugar, salt)
* Solvent: The liquid doing the dissolving (e.g., water)
* Solution: The homogeneous mixture formed by the dissolved solute and the solvent.
Here's how it works:
1. Dissolution: The solute particles break apart and become surrounded by solvent molecules. This process is driven by the attractive forces between the solute and solvent molecules.
2. Homogeneity: The resulting solution is homogeneous, meaning the solute particles are evenly distributed throughout the solvent. This means the solution has the same properties throughout.
Examples:
* Sugar in water: Sugar dissolves in water, forming a sugar solution.
* Salt in water: Salt dissolves in water, forming a salt solution.
* Tea: Tea leaves are dissolved in hot water, forming a tea solution.
Important note: Not all substances dissolve in all liquids. The ability of a substance to dissolve in a particular liquid depends on the nature of the solute and the solvent. For example, oil does not dissolve in water, but it does dissolve in gasoline.
