One common example of a solution containing a solid dissolved in a liquid is saltwater. In this solution, table salt (sodium chloride) is the solid that dissolves in water.
The solvent in this case is water, which is the substance that dissolves the solid. Water is often referred to as the universal solvent because it can dissolve many substances. The solute is the salt, which is the solid that breaks apart into its individual ions when mixed with the solvent.
To summarize, in a saltwater solution:
- Solvent: Water
- Solute: Table salt (sodium chloride)