What is the function of a solvent in a solution?

In a solution, the solvent plays a crucial role as the medium that dissolves the solute, which is the substance being dissolved. This means that the solvent is present in a greater quantity compared to the solute and facilitates the interaction that leads to the dissolution process.

For example, in a sugar-water solution, water is the solvent that dissolves sugar. The solvent interacts with the solute particles, breaking them apart and evenly distributing them throughout the solution, resulting in a homogeneous mixture. It’s important to note that solvents can be in different physical states, not limited to liquid only, but the most common scenario in solutions is that the solvent is a liquid.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary role of a solvent in a solution. While a solvent can influence temperature or volume, these are not defining characteristics of its function in dissolving substances.