Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Which substance can best be described as ‘the dissolver’ in a solution?

1. Solute

2. Saturated Solution

3. Solvent

4. Electrolyte

The correct answer is: Solvent

In the context of a solution, a solvent is best described as "the dissolver." It is the substance that has the ability to dissolve a solute, which is the substance being dissolved. This process results in the formation of a homogeneous mixture called a solution. For example, when salt (the solute) is added to water (the solvent), the water molecules interact with the salt molecules, breaking them apart and evenly distributing them throughout the water, creating a saline solution. The primary role of the solvent is to facilitate this process; therefore, identifying it as "the dissolver" is accurate. The other terms provided in the options have different meanings: a solute refers to the substance that is dissolved, a saturated solution is one where no more solute can dissolve in the solvent at a given temperature and pressure, and an electrolyte is a substance that produces an electrically conducting solution when dissolved. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of solution chemistry.