Dissolving

Definition

Dissolving refers to the process in which a solute (substance being dissolved) disperses uniformly into a solvent (the substance doing the dissolving) to form a homogeneous mixture called a solution. It involves breaking apart solute particles and surrounding them with solvent particles.

Related terms

Solute:

A solute is a substance that gets dissolved in another substance, usually referred to as the solvent, forming a solution. In our analogy above, lemonade mix powder represents the solute.

Solvent:

A solvent is a substance capable of dissolving other substances or dispersing them uniformly throughout its own volume. In our analogy above, water represents the solvent for dissolving lemonade mix powder.

Solution:

A solution is formed when one or more substances are dissolved or dispersed uniformly throughout another substance. It consists of both solute(s) and solvent(s). Lemonade made by dissolving lemonade mix powder in water is an example of a solution.