A solution is a mixture of two or more substances that are physically blended but not chemically combined. A. True B. False
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A. True.
A solution is indeed a mixture of two or more substances that are physically blended but not chemically combined. This means that the components in a solution retain their individual chemical properties, even though they are combined. The process of making a solution often involves dissolving one substance (the solute) into another (the solvent), with the solute uniformly distributed throughout the solvent.
For example, when salt is dissolved in water, the salt dissociates into its ions (sodium and chloride), but the chemical structure of the salt itself doesn’t change. The water molecules surround the ions, keeping them in a dispersed state. In this case, the salt and water are not chemically bonded but are simply mixed together to form a homogeneous mixture.
Solutions can exist in various phases: solid, liquid, or gas. For instance, air is a gaseous solution of oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases. An example of a solid solution is an alloy, like bronze, where copper and tin are physically mixed but not chemically combined. Similarly, in a liquid solution, like sugar dissolved in water, the sugar is evenly distributed throughout the water without undergoing any chemical transformation.
The key characteristic of a solution is that it is homogeneous, meaning the components are evenly distributed at the molecular level. This is different from a mixture where the components can often be distinguished or separated physically, like in a salad or a trail mix. The ability to separate the components of a solution typically requires physical methods like evaporation or distillation, rather than chemical reactions.
Thus, the statement is correct as solutions are mixtures where substances are physically blended and not chemically combined.