Question

In each of the following examples, identify the solute and the solvent.
A. a cup of hot tea
B. a mug of hot cocoa
C. ocean water

Answer 1

In each example, the solute is the substance that is dissolved, and the solvent is the substance that does the dissolving.

A. **A cup of hot tea**
- Solvent: Water (the liquid in which tea is steeped)
- Solute: Tea leaves or tea bags (the substances that release flavor into the water)

B. **A mug of hot cocoa**
- Solvent: Milk or water (the liquid that forms the base of the cocoa)
- Solute: Cocoa powder and sugar (the substances that dissolve in the liquid to provide flavor)

C. **Ocean water**
- Solvent: Water (the main component of ocean water)
- Solute: Salt (the primary substance that is dissolved in the water, along with other minerals)