What term describes a uniform mixture of solute and solvent?

• A. Solution
• B. Suspension
• C. Colloid
• D. Alloy

Answer: (A)

A solution is a uniform mixture where the solute is dissolved in the solvent, so the composition and properties are the same throughout the entire blend. The dissolved particles are distributed at the molecular level, making the mixture appear homogeneous and preventing visible separation over time. Salt or sugar in water are classic examples that illustrate this concept.

A suspension, by contrast, contains solid particles that are dispersed but not dissolved; these particles are larger and will settle out under gravity, so the mixture isn’t uniform long-term. A colloid consists of much smaller particles that remain dispersed and give a cloudy appearance, yet they aren’t true solutions at the molecular level. An alloy is a solid mixture of elements, often metals, that is homogeneous in composition but exists in the solid state rather than as a solute dissolved in a solvent; it’s a different kind of uniform mixture than a solution.