When
a sample of a substance dissolves in water it seems to ‘disappear’.
We end up with a clear mixture. Separate
‘bits’ of the substance cannot be seen.
The water is called the solvent.
The added substance is called
the solute.
The clear mixture is called
a solution.
If a coloured substance dissolves we get a clear
coloured solution:
Copper sulfate and copper sulfate solution.
Being clear (see through) is the key sign that we
have a solution.
