2007-06-04 07:46:12 · 10 answers · asked by ANNIE W 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Water is sometimes referred to as a universal solvent. The anti-freeze is the solute in this example as it is diluted by the water which is acting as a solvent.
2007-06-04 07:53:45 · answer #1 · answered by pjallittle 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Proportion does not define solute/solvent. You can, for example, dissolve a great quantity of sugar into a small amount of water at the right temperature, but water is still considered the solvent for the water/sugar solution.
I think a better definition of a "solute" is what is left behind in a container during a separation process such as distillation/boiling or evaporation.
Antifreeze has a much higher boiling point than water and does not evaporate as quickly. There are two common types of antifreeze, ethlyene glycol and propylene glycol. The boiling point of EG is 197 deg C, PG boils at 188 deg C. Water boils at 100 deg C. So when you heat up the mixture to 100C, the water is what will boil away and leave the antifreeze behind.
Therefore, the antifreeze is the solute in this mixture, regardless of proportion.
2007-06-04 08:11:00 · answer #2 · answered by Vangorn2000 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Defining the solute and solvent can be difficult. The solvent is usually considered the major item. If you had a 10% antifreeze, 90% water by volume clearly water is the solvent.
If you had 90 % antifreeze by volume and 10 % water, antifreeze is the solvent.
If you had a 50 % antifreeze, 50% water solution by volume it is anyone's opinion - and everyone can debate it.
The real question is which is in larger proportion?
2007-06-04 07:54:24 · answer #3 · answered by GTB 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Antifreeze is the solute. The distilled water is the solvent.
2007-06-04 07:50:07 · answer #4 · answered by barpit4 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most folks buy distilled water for use in equipment that might clog up from the impurities in tap water. I use it in my steam iron. My husband puts it in the car battery. I don't use distilled water for drinking because it is distilled -- there are no minerals in the water to give it flavor. I would only use it for cooking if there were a water shortage. Why buy in a bottle what comes out of the kitchen faucet? (I might put a filter on the kitchen faucet if I didn't like the local water.) I wasn't aware of all the factors White Tornado mentioned. If you want to know more, pick up the encyclopedia the next time you are at the library and read about distilled water. Encyclopedia articles give great overviews of a topic.
2016-04-01 01:51:27 · answer #5 · answered by Shennen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Which ever liquid has the greater volume is the solvent, the lower volume is the solute.
2007-06-06 08:23:25 · answer #6 · answered by BIG G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Instead of everyone just guessing or stating their opnion, how about simply googling 'solvent'?
Below is the Wiki article on solvents & solutes........
2007-06-04 08:32:52 · answer #7 · answered by Steve 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
solvent= what the solid dissolves in
solute= what the solid is
antifreeze= solute
distilled water= solvent
2007-06-06 22:54:06 · answer #8 · answered by ~*tigger*~ ** 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It varies.
Whichever has more molecules is the solvent and the other is the solute.
2007-06-04 09:21:58 · answer #9 · answered by Sciman 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Neither. They are both miscible liquids both being dipolar and having hydrogen bonding. They mix rather than one dissolving the other.
2007-06-05 07:44:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋