The word Solute comes from the Latin " Solutus " which can be translated as loose, dissolved, free or liberated. A solution (or solution) is given by two basic components, the solute and the solvent (or solvent); the solute is the one who dissolves in a solution. If quantities are compared between the two components of the solution, in general, the solute is given in less quantity than the solvent. Also in a solution, the solute is the one who defines its concentration depending on its proportion, that is, if the amount of solute is small, the concentration of the solution is low and vice versa.
The solute can occur in any of the three states of matter, namely: solid, liquid or gaseous, but the most common is that the solute is in a solid state dissolving in a liquid solvent, thus obtaining a liquid solution (without a second phase is formed). The solubility of a chemical compound largely depends on its polarity. In general, ionic and polar molecular compounds are soluble in polar solvents such as water or ethanol; and apolar molecular compounds in apolar solvents such as hexane, ether, or carbon tetrachloride. Examples of Common Liquid Solutes: Hydrated ammonium (NH4OH), gaseous solute, ammonia, and carbon dioxidewhich are pollutants when combined with a solvent such as water create a toxic solution, finally, the simplest example is that of the solid solute, any compound that degenerates into a liquid can be considered solute, like sugar.
The importance of this chemical term lies directly in its function and constant use within the laboratory, since on this site the functions that are carried out are purely experimental, so the use and the value that is given in practice are relevant. However, although the etymology of the word shows us a path towards chemistry, this word is also used in other fields, referring to applications and added to a compound not necessarily in the states in which chemistry is worked, a example can be the installation of an extra application in an operating system.
