Get detailed knowledge of types of solutions

Introduction

We came across hundreds of solutions in our day-to-day life. In simple terms, a true solution is a mixture where two or more solutions are mixed to form a single new solution. In a mixture, the true solution is one of the significant parts of the mix with the two adjacent combinations: colloidal solutions and suspension solutions. Further, the true solution is divided into different parts that we will discuss today. 

This article talks about types of solutions. You will find brief information on the concept of true solutions in chemistry, a thorough explanation of types of solutions, examples of true solutions, and so on. So, let’s start by describing the true solution in Chemistry.

Concept of the true solution 

The true solution can be described as the homogenous mixture of two or more substances. Here the solute is completely dissolved in the solvent forming a liquified and transparent solution. A typical example of a true solution is the mix of sugar or salt in water. The size of the particles in the true solution is less than 1 nm which also means that it is hard to view particles through naked eyes. True solutions are hard for filtration or separation procedures as the solvent and solution get a dissolved state completely. 

It is a homogenous mixture in which any of the solute and solvent particles do not settle down at the bottom of the true solution. Through this state, the light passes conveniently without scattering. Here the density of the particles is relatively high as the amount of the particles in the solution is equal in unit per volume. The effect of Brownian and Tyndall is not present in this solution. 

Types of true solutions 

There are different types of true solutions based on the physical state or the differences in the solvent or the solute. Below, we have curated types of solutions based on different criteria for your ease of understanding. Here we go! 

1- Based on the water as a solvent 

• Aqueous solutions – The aqueous solutions have water as the solvent. The typical example of the aqueous solution is sugar mixed with water or carbon dioxide in water. 
• Non-aqueous solutions – Non-aqueous solutions do not have water as a solvent. It can be benzene, petrol, ether, carbon tetrachloride, and so on. Some popular examples of non-aqueous solutions are naphthalene in benzene, sulphur in carbon disulphide, etc. 

2- Based on the amount of solute added

• Unsaturated solution – An unsaturated solution can be described as the solution which dissolves more solute at a fixed temperature. It also means that more solute can be added to the solvent. 
• Saturated solution – When no more solute can be added to a solution, it is termed the saturated solution. It also means the solution is not able to dissolve more solute. 
• Supersaturated solution – When the solute is present in an excessive amount, it is termed as the supersaturated solution. This solute is dissolved by force either by increasing the pressure or the temperature of the solution. The supersaturated solution generally forms crystals at the bottom through the method of crystallisation. 

3- Based on solvent added 

• Concentrated solution – In the given solvent, the concentrated solutions possess large amounts of solute. Some common examples include orange juice, brine solution, dark-coloured tea, and so on. 
• Dilute solution – In the large solvent amount, the dilute solution has extremely small amounts of solute. Some common examples are light colour tea, salt solution, and so on. 

4- Based on solute concentration in two solutions 

• Isotonic solution – The isotonic solution possesses the same solute concentration in them. As a result, the water tends to move across all cells from the solution in a beaker in both directions. 
• Hypertonic solution – The hypertonic solution is a type of the true solution where the solute concentration in the beaker is larger than that of the cell. Therefore, the water comes out of the cell, making the cell shrink. 
• Hypotonic solution – The hypotonic solution is a type of the true solution where the solute concentration in the beaker is the same as that of the cell. Therefore, the water moves in and around the cell in both directions.

Examples of a true solution 

Here are some common examples of a true solution – 

Sugar solution, Copper Sulphate solution, Salt Solution etc.

Significance differences between solutions, colloidal solution, and suspensions 

• True solutions are entirely compatible, and here the solute and solvent are thoroughly mixed. The colloidal solutions are the type of mixture where the tiny particles settle down. In contrast, the particles cannot dissolve in suspensions and ultimately settle down in the mix. 
• The appearance of the true solution is transparent and homogenous. The colloidal solution has a translucent or opaque appearance with a heterogeneous mixture. The suspension also attains the heterogenous type in nature with an opaque appearance. 
• The size of particles in the true solution is less than 1 nm, whereas, in a colloidal solution, the size of particles lies between 1 to 1000 nm. In suspension, the size of particles is usually more than 1000 nm.
• The impact of the Brownian and Tyndall effect is absent in the true solution, while it is observed in colloidal mixtures and suspensions.

Conclusion 

With this, we come to an end to types of solutions. It is the homogenous mixture of two or more substances. Here the solute is completely dissolved in the solvent forming a liquified and transparent solution. A typical example of a true solution is the mix of sugar or salt in water. Solutions are of different types based on several factors that we discussed in this article. 

In this article describing types of solutions, we studied the concept of the solution in length. We covered several other topics, such as a thorough explanation of solutions, differences between their types, true solutions based on the physical state, and so on.