What does a solution consist of?

A solution consists of a mixture of one or more substances, known as solutes, dissolved in another substance, referred to as the solvent. This definition applies broadly across various contexts, including chemistry and agriculture, where solutions are commonly used for pesticide applications.

In a solution, the solute is uniformly distributed within the solvent, resulting in a homogeneous mixture. This uniform distribution is crucial for effective performance in tasks such as agricultural spraying, where even application of a pesticide is essential for efficacy and safety.

Understanding the characteristics of solutions helps differentiate them from other types of mixtures. For instance, a single pure component describes a substance with consistent properties throughout, while heterogeneous mixtures are composed of visibly different substances that do not blend uniformly. In contrast, solutions maintain a consistent appearance and characteristics throughout the entire mixture, which is why the answer aligns with the definition of a solution.