The composition of two different substances in it is called a solution, even if it is two elements of the same state of aggregation or two different ones. It is necessary that the composition be a homogeneous mixture, that is to say that the process is produced by which a substance that appears in less quantity (called solute) joins another that appears in greater numbers (called solvent) habitually changing some of its physical characteristics. The proportion of solute in the solvent is what is called concentration, and usually the same solution can appear in various concentrations.
The different states of aggregation of matter allow the formation of solutions in any of the senses. Thus, solutions can be recognized in many of the senses (gaseous to liquid or vice versa, between gases or between liquids). The least frequent, without a doubt, is that of a dissolution between solid elements, which due to its own characteristics is more complicated for them to experience a dissolution such as those explained. However, this does not mean they disappear and it is common for them to appear between metals.
It is usual that the presence of solute molecules within a solvent alters the properties of the solvent itself. For example, the melting and boiling point are modified, increasing its density and chemical behavior, as well as its color. There is a mathematical relationship between the quotient of the number of molecules of the solute and those of the solvent and the variation in the melting and boiling points, discovered by the French chemist Roult.
Obviously, people are constantly in contact with solutions, without a doubt putting first on this list the air, which is a dissolution of elements of the gaseous state: its majority composition is given by the nitrogen (78%) and the rest is occupied by 21% of oxygen and 1% of other components, although these proportions may vary slightly. However, air belongs to an atypical category of solutions because the combination of substances does not generate a joint reaction but simply the gases are there, producing the substance without which human life and breathing animals are impossible.
The following list will include forty examples of solutions, highlighting the state of aggregation that the combination performs, a solute in a respective solvent.
- Air (gas in gas): A composition of gases, where nitrogen acts as the most abundant.
- Pumice (gas in solid): The compound gas in the solid (which is actually a liquid that went through a solidification process) gives rise to the stone, with the properties that are typical of it.
- Butter (liquid in solid).
- Smoke (solid in gas): The air is vitiated by the appearance of the smoke released from the fire, in what is a solution where the air acts as a solvent.
- Other alloys between metals (solid to solid)
- Aerosol sprays (liquid in gas)
- Face cream (liquid in liquid)
- Atmospheric air dust (solid in gas): The presence of solids (decomposed almost to an indivisible unit but finally solids) in gas, is an example of dissolution in this sense.
- Steel (solid in solid): Alloy between iron and carbon, with a much higher proportion of the first.
- Carbonated drinks(gas in liquid): Carbonated drinks have, almost by their very definition, a dissolution of gases within a liquid.
- Amalgam (liquid in solid)
- Petroleum (liquid in liquid): The combination of the elements that compose it (the majority is carbon) gives rise to a dissolution between liquids.
- Butane in air (gas in gas): Butane is an element that allows the concentration of gas in tubes, ready to be used as fuel.
- Oxygen in ocean water (gas in liquid)
- Drinks with an alcohol content (liquid in liquid)
- Coffee with milk (liquid in liquid): A liquid with a higher content receives a little from another, which represents a transformation of its color and flavor.
- Smog (gases into gas): The introduction of gases that are not specific to the atmosphere induces a transformation of the air, which has negative effects on the societies that breathe it: the more concentrated, the more harmful it will be.
- Shaving foam (gas in liquid): The compressed gas in the can is mixed with the liquids that have the properties of foam, to give the thick mixture whose function is to prepare the skin for shaving.
- Salt in water (solid in liquid)
- Blood (liquids in liquid): The main element is plasma (liquid), and within it other elements appear, among which the red blood cells stand out.
- Ammonia in water (liquid in liquid): This solution (which can also be made from a gas to a liquid) is functional to many cleaning supplies.
- Air with traces of humidity (liquid in gas)
- Bubble metal (gas in solid)
- Powder juices (solid in liquid): The powder is immersed in water and generates a reaction that immediately reveals the notions of solute and solvent.
- Deodorant (solid in gas)
- Hydrogen in palladium (gas in solid)
- Airborne Viruses (solid in gas): Like atmospheric dust, these are very small units of a solid that are transported by a gas.
- Mercury in silver (liquid in solid)
- Fog (liquid in gas): It is a suspension of tiny drops of water in the air, after coming into contact with a cold stream of air.
- Mothballs in the air (solid in gas)
- The tea (solid in liquid): A solid in very small dimensions (the granites of the envelope) dissolves on the water.
- Royal water (liquid in liquid): Composition of acids that allows dissolving different metals, including gold.
- Bronze (solid in solid): Alloy between copper and tin.
- Lemonade (liquid in liquid): Although many times the mixture is between a solid and a liquid, it is actually a liquid present in that solid, such as lemon juice.
- Peroxide (gas in liquid)
- Brass (solid in solid): It is the alloy between solid copper and zinc.
- Hydrogen in platinum (Solid in gas)
- Ice cooling (solid in liquid): Ice enters the liquid and cools it, while dissolving. If it is introduced in water, it is the particular case in which it is the same substance.
- Physiological solution (liquids in liquid): Water acts as a solvent and many liquid substances act as a solute.
- Smoothies (solids in liquids): Through a crushing process, a combination of solids to liquids is induced. However, the combination itself generates a certain solvent reaction that is not enough to give it the taste that liquefaction gives.
