Solutions

**Aqueous** solutions: solutions in which water is the solvent **Solutes**: substances that dissolve in a solvent **Solution**: a homogenous mixture of uniform composition **Solvents**: substances capable of dissolving other substances

The main rule about solutions that is important in chemistry is that "like dissolves like," meaning, that solutions that are similar in chemical structure will dissolve in other solutions of similar chemical structure. Example: Hydrocarbons dissolve in Hydrocarbons, such as fats and oils (which have long hydrocarbon chains) Hydroxyls dissolve in Hydroxyls, such as waters, alcohols and sugars

It is clear to know which substances will dissolve in which when we can compare the molecular structures.



This is a triglyceride. ^

This is a saturated fat. ^

Because of the long hydrocarbon chains, we can see that the molecules are directly applicable to the "like dissolves like" rule.