Identify the solute and solvent in each of the solutions. A. salt ( NaCl ) (NaCl) in water salt: water: B. air (a solution of 78 % N 2 , 78% N2, 21 % O 2 , 21% O2, and various other gases) N 2 : N2: O 2 : O2: C. a solution of 28 % 28% ethanol and 72 % 72% water ethanol: water: D. bronze (an alloy of 95 % 95% copper and 5 % 5% tin) copper:

A) solute - NaCl, solvent - water

B) solute - O2 and other gases, solvent - N2

C) solute - ethanol, solvent - water

D) solute - tin, solvent - copper

Explanation:

Solute(s) is/are the minor component(s) in a solution, dissolved in the solvent.

Solvent is the component of a solution that is present in the greatest amount. It is the substance in which the solute is dissolved.

If both solute and solvent exist in equal quantities (such as in a 50% ethanol, 50% water solution), the concepts of "solute" and "solvent" become less relevant, but the substance that is more often used as a solvent is normally designated as the solvent (in this example, water).