Difference between a Dilute Solution and a Concentrated Solution
A solution, or dissolution, is the result of homogeneously mixing a solute (substance that dissolves) and a solvent (or solution, which is the substance that dissolves the solute). The concentration of a solution is defined as the ratio of the amounts of solute to solvent. Informally, one can refer to the degree of concentration of a solution as dilute or concentrated.
diluted solution |
concentrated solution |
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|---|---|---|
| Definition | These are solutions of medium or low concentration. Unsaturated solutions are considered dilute solutions. | These, on the contrary, are those of high concentration. There are two types of concentrated solutions, saturated solutions and supersaturated solutions. |
| Proportion | In a dilute solution the dissolved solute is found in low proportions. | On the other hand, in a concentrated solution the amounts of the solute are much more considerable than in a diluted one. |
| examples | A tea with sugar is an example of a diluted solution. The sugar would be the solute and it is found in very small proportions in relation to the solvent (prepared tea). | Honey is an example of a concentrated solution. The sugar would again be the solute, but this time it would be dissolved in the solvent (water) in very high proportions. |
