Types of Solutions
Solutions may be classified according to the state of the solvent, according to their solubility, and according to their concentrations.
Solutions exist in the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.
A solute or a solvent can either be a gas, liquid, or solid but the final state of the solution is determined by the state of the solvent.
The following table lists solutes and solvents in different states.
| State of Solute | State of Solvent | Resulting Solution | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| gas | gas | gas | Deep-sea diver's (O2 and He) dry air (O2 in N2) |
| gas | liquid | liquid | Household ammonia (NH3 in H2O), carbonated drink (CO2 in H2O) |
| gas | solid | solid | Hydrogen gas in palladium (H2 in Pd) |
| liquid | liquid | liquid | Rubbing alcohol (70% alcohol in H2O), vinegar (acetic acid[CH3 COOH] in H2O) |
| solid | liquid | liquid | Tincture of iodine (I2 crystals in alcohol), sugar solution (sugar in water) |
| solid | gas | gas | Naphthalene balls |
| solid | solid | solid | Brass (zinc in copper), solder (tin in lead) |
| liquid | solid | solid | Silver amalgam (25% silver in mercury) |
