Solute is defined as:

Solute is defined as:

• A. The substance in which the solute dissolves
• B. The solution
• C. The substance that is dissolved
• D. The solvent

Answer: (C)

The key idea is distinguishing solute from solvent in a solution. The solute is the substance that gets dissolved in the solvent to form the solution. For example, in salt dissolved in water, salt is the solute and water is the solvent; together they make the saltwater solution. The other descriptions refer to the dissolving medium (the solvent), the entire mixture (the solution), or the medium that does the dissolving, not the substance that is dissolved.

The key idea is distinguishing solute from solvent in a solution. The solute is the substance that gets dissolved in the solvent to form the solution. For example, in salt dissolved in water, salt is the solute and water is the solvent; together they make the saltwater solution. The other descriptions refer to the dissolving medium (the solvent), the entire mixture (the solution), or the medium that does the dissolving, not the substance that is dissolved.