oplossing

Oplossing is a Dutch noun with multiple related meanings. It can denote the result of solving a problem or a plan that resolves an issue, as well as a liquid in which a substance (the solute) is dissolved in a solvent. The word comes from the verb oplossen, which means both to solve and to dissolve. In everyday language, oplossings often refer to practical resolutions or answers, while in scientific contexts it describes a physical mixture.

In chemistry, een oplossing is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solute dissolved in a solvent. The solute is the substance that is dissolved, the solvent is the substance doing the dissolving, and the resulting mixture has a uniform composition. Solubility describes how much solute can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature. Common examples include salt dissolved in water or sugar in tea. Concentration terms such as molarity, molality, and mass percent express how much solute is present relative to the solvent or solution as a whole. Solutions can be dilute, concentrated, saturated, unsaturated, or supersaturated.

In mathematics, science, and everyday use, een oplossing is an answer or method that resolves a problem. In mathematics, the set of values that satisfy an equation is called the solution set. In problem solving and computing, a solution can refer to a procedure or algorithm that yields the desired result. The term also appears in contexts such as diplomacy or conflict resolution, where a solution denotes an agreed settlement.

See also oplosmiddel (solvent), oplosbaarheid (solubility), and oplossen (to solve or to dissolve).