What is the substance called that dissolves another substance in a solution?

The substance that dissolves another substance in a solution is referred to as the solvent. In a solution, the solvent acts as the medium in which the solute, the substance being dissolved, is dispersed. For example, when salt (solute) is placed in water (solvent), the salt dissolves in the water, creating a homogeneous solution.

Understanding the role of the solvent is crucial in fields like chemistry and mortuary science, where solutions are often used in various applications, such as embalming fluids. A proper grasp of these definitions helps in recognizing how substances interact with each other during processes involving dissolution.

In this context, the other terms have distinct meanings: the solute is the substance that gets dissolved; a solution is the homogeneous mixture of solute and solvent; and a suspension refers to a heterogeneous mixture where particles are dispersed but not dissolved, often settling over time. These distinctions highlight the importance of knowing the correct terminology in scientific and professional settings.