A dilute solution is formed when a small amount of solute is mixed into a large amount of solvent. In simple terms, the solute is spread out more thinly, so the solution has a low concentration.

Quick Scoop

  • Solute = the substance being dissolved.
  • Solvent = the substance doing the dissolving.
  • A small amount of solute in lots of solvent usually means the solution is diluted rather than concentrated.

Why it matters

Concentration tells you how much solute is present compared with the solvent. When the solvent amount is large, each part of the solution contains less solute, so the mixture is less strong or less concentrated.

Simple example

If you add just a little sugar to a big glass of water, the water tastes only slightly sweet. That is a diluted sugar solution, because the sugar is spread through a large amount of water.

TL;DR

A small amount of solute in a large amount of solvent makes a dilute solution.