Dialysis Technician Practice Exam

What are the two main components of a solution?

1. Liquid and gas

2. Solute and solvent

3. Base and acid

4. Element and compound

The correct answer is: Solute and solvent

The correct answer identifies the two primary components of a solution: solute and solvent. In a solution, the solvent is the substance that dissolves the solute, which is the substance being dissolved. For example, when salt is mixed with water, water acts as the solvent, and salt is the solute. This relationship is fundamental in understanding how solutions are formed and behaves, influencing aspects such as concentration, saturation, and solution properties. The other options highlight different scientific concepts. Liquid and gas do not specifically relate to the made-up of a solution, as solutions can exist in solid, liquid, or gas phases. Base and acid refer to types of substances in chemistry, particularly in relation to pH and chemical reactions, but do not encompass the general concept of solutions. Element and compound also denote categories in chemistry; elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down further, while compounds consist of two or more elements chemically bonded together, which are distinct from the idea of a solution.