Distinguish among strong electrolytes, weak electrolytes and nonelectrolytes. 15.6 A solution is a homogeneous mixture. The solvent is the dissolving medium. The solute is the dissolved particles. An aqueous solution has water as the solvent.
Water is called the universal solvent.
15.7 Solvation is the process of a solute dissolving. When a crystal of an ionic substance is place in water, the water molecules collide with it. The water molecules attract the solute ions. The individual ions break away from the crystal and the solute dissolves. Polar solvents dissolve polar molecules.