Here's the breakdown:

* Solute: The substance that dissolves in the other substance.

* Solvent: The substance that dissolves the solute.

Key characteristics of a solution:

* The solute is evenly distributed throughout the solvent.

* The particles of the solute are too small to be seen with the naked eye.

* The solution is homogeneous, meaning it has a uniform composition throughout.

Examples of solutions:

* Sugar dissolved in water

* Salt dissolved in water

* Air (a mixture of gases)

* Brass (a mixture of copper and zinc)

Let me know if you have any other questions!