Mixture Terminology

The following are words that have very specific meaning as they relate to mixtures and mixing

solvent – the thing that something else is dissolved into.

In salt-water, the water is the solvent.

Solute – the thing that is dissoved into something else. In salt-water, the salt is the solute

solution – the mixture of the solute and solvent. In salt-water, the salt-water is the solution.

Solvation – the process of dissolving.

miscible – two liquids are miscible if they can be mixed in any proportions. For example, ethanol (ethyl alcohol, C2H5OH) is miscible with water. So, it is possible to have a mixture that is 1% ethanol and 99% water or a mixture that is 99% ethanol and 1% water (or anything in between).

There are also a number of terms that have to do with Mixed Phases
Foam – a foam is a mixed phase material where a gas is trapped in a liquid. For example, whipped cream is a foam. Styrofoam is a foam because it forms as a liquid and then hardens.

Smoke – a smoke is a mixed phase material where a solid is in a gas.

Mist – a mist is a mixed phase material where a liquid is in a gas. This is what fog, and clouds are.

Gel – a gel is a mixed phase material where a liquid is trapped in a solid. Jello is an example of this type of material. That is why, when you scoop out some jello from a large bowl, water collects in the depression. You can imagine the gel as a sponge, and when you cut it, all of the tiny little (liquid-filled) bubbles at the edges are broken open and the liquid can spill out.