what is a solute

A solute is a substance that is dissolved in a solution, which is usually a liquid. In a solution, the amount of solvent present is greater than the amount of solute. For example, salt is a solute that dissolves in water, which is the solvent. A solution is a homogeneous mixture of one or more solutes dissolved in a solvent, and the solute can be a gas, a liquid, or a solid. The concentration of a solute in a solution is a measure of how much of that solute is dissolved in the solvent, with regard to how much solvent is present. Water is considered the universal solvent because more compounds are dissolved into it than any other solvent