The measurement of how much solute exists within a certain volume of solvent is called concentration. Concentration can be expressed in various units, often involving the amount of solute per volume of solvent or solution. Common ways include molarity (moles of solute per liter of solution), molality (moles of solute per kilogram of solvent), mass concentration (mass of solute per volume of solution), and percentage forms by weight or volume.
Key terms:
- Molarity (M) = moles of solute / liters of solution
- Molality (m) = moles of solute / kilograms of solvent
- Mass concentration = mass of solute / volume of solution (e.g., g/mL)
- Solubility is often expressed as grams of solute per 100 mL of solvent or other similar units
Thus, concentration is the general term for the quantity of solute in a given volume of solvent or solution.
