Who Do Substances Dissolve?

A solution is made when one substance called the solute "dissolves" into another substance called the solvent. Dissolving is when the solute breaks up from a larger crystal of molecules into much smaller groups or individual molecules. This break up is caused by coming into contact with the solvent.

Why do substances dissolve?

A solute dissolves because its particles interact with the particles of a solvent. Anything that allows more solvent to touch more solute will cause a solute to dissolve more quickly. Small pieces of a substance dissolve faster than large pieces.

What causes things to dissolve in water?

And, water is called the "universal solvent" because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid. ... Water can become so heavily attracted to a different molecule, like salt (NaCl), that it can disrupt the attractive forces that hold the sodium and chloride in the salt molecule together and, thus, dissolve it.