It is essential when it comes to establishing the meaning of the word solute, which we are now going to analyze below, that we discover the etymological origin of this concept. Thus, it must be emphasized that it is found in Latin, and specifically in the word solutus which can be translated as "dissolved, free or liberated."
A Latin word is that which in turn can be said to be the participle of the verb solvere which is synonymous with "release and release". However, it can also be established that it means "pay, release money to someone."
A solution is a mixture with homogeneous characteristics made up of at least two substances. The solute is the substance that, in general, is found in the least amount and that dissolves in the mixture. The solvent, on the other hand, is the substance that usually appears in greater quantity and where the solute dissolves.
The concentration of the solution indicates the relationship between the amount of solvent and the amount of solute. It is important to note that the chemical properties of the solvent and the solute do not suffer modifications in the solution.
The solute is usually a solid that is contained in a liquid solution. The solubility is linked largely to its polarity. Polar molecular compounds and ionic compounds have the property of solubility in solvents with polar characteristics (among which ethanol and H2O can be mentioned). The nonpolar molecular compounds, on the other hand, are soluble in nonpolar solvents (such as ether).
Solubility is linked to how capable a substance is to dissolve in another (that is, its ability to act as a solute). This measurement is usually reflected in grams per liter, moles per liter and even in percentage of solute.
In addition to all the above, we have to establish that the term solute is used very frequently in the matter of water movement, and specifically in two phenomena known as global flow and diffusion. Thus, it is established that, for example, in the first case that this flow occurs in living beings, what it does is move not only the water but also the solutes from one part of a multitucellular organism to another.
On the contrary, in what is diffusion, solutes, molecules and ions move outwards, inwards and through the cell itself.
It is important to note that a solute can be solid, liquid, or gaseous. The sugar is an example of a solid solute is dissolved in water. Water is also a solvent when mixed with ethanol, which acts as a liquid solute in this case. Another example of a solute that dissolves in water is carbon dioxide, a gas used in carbonated beverages. This shows that solutes can appear in any state of aggregation of matter.
However, in addition to the aforementioned, we cannot ignore the fact that solute is also a widely used term in the field of technology, and more specifically in that of computing. In this sector when we talk about Soluto, we are referring to an application whose clear mission is to accelerate the start of the Windows operating system.