In a saltwater solution, what is the solvent?

In a saltwater solution, what is the solvent?

• A. Salt
• B. Water
• C. The mixture
• D. The solute.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is identifying which component does the dissolving and is present in the larger amount. In a saltwater solution, water is the solvent because it is the medium that dissolves the salt. The salt is the solute—the substance being dissolved. The mixture refers to the whole combination of solvent and solute, i.e., the solution, not a single component. Water’s role as the solvent comes from its ability to surround and stabilize the dissolved ions, which is why it’s described as the solvent in this case.

The key idea is identifying which component does the dissolving and is present in the larger amount. In a saltwater solution, water is the solvent because it is the medium that dissolves the salt. The salt is the solute—the substance being dissolved. The mixture refers to the whole combination of solvent and solute, i.e., the solution, not a single component. Water’s role as the solvent comes from its ability to surround and stabilize the dissolved ions, which is why it’s described as the solvent in this case.