What is the substance that does the dissolving in a solution called?

What is the substance that does the dissolving in a solution called?

a. solute

b. solvent

c. molality

Answer: b. solvent

The solvent is the component of a solution that does the dissolving and is the one that is generally in the larger quantity. It is that constituent in which the solute of the solution (the material that is dissolved) is placed. Most of the time the solvent is a liquid while there are times that it is a gas or even a solid. The most familiar one is water, as it is popularly known as the universal solvent as it dissolves more substances as compared to any other liquid. This is because the character of the solvent the polarity and its intermolecular forces define its solute capacity. Solute dissolves in a solvent, by solvent molecules enclosing solute particles and these distributing or peptizing them throughout the solution. This process of dissolution is fundamental in various chemical reactions and biological systems, and practical uses, such as making coffee, preparing cleaning agents, etc.