Solutes, solvents and solutions

A solution is made by dissolving a solid (the solute) in a liquid (the solvent). The solvent which is most commonly used is water, and the resulting solution is known as an aqueous solution. There is a limit to the quantity of solute that can be dissolved in a solvent. If enough solute is added until some remains undissolved and the solution can hold no more, the solution is known as a saturated solution.