Question

In aqueous solutions, the solvent used is:

• A. Benzene
• B. Ether
• C. Alcohol
• D. Water

Hint:

Water is the most common solvent used in aqueous solutions, as it can dissolve a wide range of substances.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Aqueous Solutions and Solvent 

An aqueous solution is a solution where the solvent is water. In such solutions, the solute is dissolved in water.

Understanding Aqueous Solutions

In an aqueous solution, the term "aqueous" specifically refers to water being the solvent. This is a key concept in chemistry because water is one of the most common solvents used to dissolve substances, especially ionic compounds.

Why Water is the Solvent

Water is used as a solvent in aqueous solutions due to its unique properties:

• Polarity: Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other. This allows it to dissolve many ionic and polar substances.
• High Solubility: Water can dissolve a wide range of substances, including salts, acids, and gases, making it an excellent solvent for many chemical reactions.
• Ability to form hydrogen bonds: Water molecules can form hydrogen bonds with various solutes, enhancing the dissolving process.

Common Examples of Aqueous Solutions

Some examples of aqueous solutions include:

• Sodium chloride (NaCl) in water, commonly known as saltwater.
• Hydrochloric acid (HCl) in water, forming a strong acid solution.
• Sugar (C₆H₁₂O₆) dissolved in water to make a sweet solution.

Other Solvents and Their Roles

While water is the most common solvent for aqueous solutions, other solvents like benzene, ether, and alcohol are used in different types of solutions:

• Benzene: A non-polar solvent used in organic chemistry, but not in aqueous solutions.
• Ether: Another organic solvent used for dissolving non-polar substances, but not suitable for aqueous solutions.
• Alcohol: Commonly used as a solvent in both organic and aqueous solutions, depending on the substance being dissolved.

Conclusion

In summary, the solvent used in aqueous solutions is water, which provides an ideal environment for dissolving many substances due to its polarity, high solubility, and hydrogen bonding ability.

Answer 2

An aqueous solution is defined by which solvent is used. Check each option against what actually happens when common solutes like salts are added.

1. Benzene: benzene is a non-polar solvent that does not dissolve ionic compounds like common salts well, and solutions made with benzene are not called aqueous.
2. Ether: ether is also a largely non-polar organic solvent, useful for dissolving non-polar substances, but solutions in ether are not termed aqueous either.
3. Alcohol: alcohol can dissolve a range of substances and mixes with water, but a solution is only called aqueous when the solvent itself is water, not alcohol.
4. Water: the word aqueous comes directly from water being the solvent. Salts, sugars, and acids readily dissolve in water because of its strong polarity, and any solution using water as the solvent is called aqueous by definition.

The term aqueous specifically means the solvent is water, ruling out every organic solvent listed.

So the correct answer is water.