In a solution, is salt considered the solute or the solvent?

In a solution, salt is classified as the solute because it is the substance that is dissolved in the solvent. When salt is added to water, it dissociates into its constituent ions (sodium and chloride ions), allowing it to mix homogeneously with the water. The water acts as the solvent in this case, providing the medium in which the solute dissolves.

The distinction between solute and solvent is based on their roles in the solution; typically, the solute is present in a smaller amount compared to the solvent. In a saline solution, for example, the concentration of salt (solute) is significantly lower than that of water (solvent). This fundamental concept helps to understand interactions between different substances in biochemical and chemical processes.