Solutenes

Solutenes is a term sometimes used in chemistry to refer to dissolved substances. When a solute, which is the substance being dissolved, is mixed with a solvent, the liquid or gas in which it dissolves, the resulting homogeneous mixture is called a solution. The solute is the component of the solution that is present in a lesser amount. For example, in a saline solution, sodium chloride (salt) is the solute and water is the solvent. The amount of solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent is limited by the solubility of the solute. This solubility can be affected by factors such as temperature and pressure. If more solute is added than can dissolve, the excess remains as a solid or separate phase. The concept of solutenes is fundamental to understanding chemical reactions, concentrations, and the physical properties of mixtures.