In a solution of water and salt, which substance acts as the solute?

In a solution of water and salt, the substance that acts as the solute is salt. In the context of solutions, a solute is defined as the substance that is dissolved in a solvent. In this scenario, water serves as the solvent, which is the medium that dissolves the solute. Salt, when added to water, dissociates into its ions (sodium and chloride), effectively spreading throughout the water and creating a homogeneous mixture.

The other substances listed, such as sugar and alcohol, do not pertain to the specific scenario of a water and salt solution. While sugar can also be a solute when dissolved in water, it is not present in this specific context. Alcohol typically acts as a solvent in different mixtures, but it is not relevant here since the focus is on the relationship between water and salt. Thus, identifying salt as the solute aligns with the fundamental definitions of solutes and solvents within the study of solutions.