Concentration

Definition

Concentration is the measure of the amount of a solute that is dissolved in a given quantity of solvent. It is commonly expressed in terms of molarity (M), which is moles of solute per liter of solution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The formula for molarity (M) is $\frac{moles\,of\,solute}{liters\,of\,solution}$.
2. A solution with a high concentration has more solute particles per unit volume than a solution with low concentration.
3. Dilution involves reducing the concentration of a solution by adding more solvent.
4. The units for molarity are typically moles per liter (mol/L).
5. When preparing solutions, it’s crucial to precisely measure both solute and solvent to achieve the desired concentration.

Review Questions

• What is the formula for calculating molarity?
• How does dilution affect the concentration of a solution?
• What are the units commonly used to express molarity?

Related terms

Solute:

The substance that is dissolved in a solution.

Solvent:

The substance that dissolves the solute to form a solution.

Dilution:

The process of reducing the concentration of a solute in a solution, usually by adding more solvent.