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Solvent

Contents

Key Stage 3

Meaning

A solvent is the liquid used to make a solution.

About Solvents

The most common solvent used is water. Many different solids can dissolve in water.
Alcohol is also a good solvent and many solids which do not dissolve in water will dissolve in alcohol which is why alcohol is often used in cleaning products.
Some solvents are dangerous to humans and are sometimes used as drugs. These include the solvents used in some paints.

References

AQA

Solvent, pages 112-3, GCSE Chemistry; Student Book, Collins, AQA
Solvents, pages 11, 162, GCSE Chemistry; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA

Edexcel

Solvents, page 24, GCSE Biology, Pearson, Edexcel
Solvents, pages 6, 74, GCSE Chemistry, Pearson, Edexcel

OCR

Solvents, page 42, Gateway GCSE Chemistry, Oxford, OCR