The homogeneous mixture of two or more components (Composition can be varied within certain limits) such that at least one component is a liquid is called solution. The solution consisting of two components is called a Binary solution. The component present in large quantity is called solvent and the other is called solute.
The properties of a solution which depend on the number of particles (molecules or ions) present in the solution are called colligative properties e.g. osmotic pressure, lowering in vapour pressure etc. By using colligative properties of a solution, molar mass of solute, mole fraction of components,
isotonicity of solution, degree of dissociation or association of solute (if occurs), can be calculated.
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|(a) Substitutional solid solution ||(b) Interstitial solid solution |