Mixing and Dissolving

In KS2 Science children will conduct experiments involving solvents, solutes and suspensions. They will try mixing different materials and see which 'mix' (sugar dissolving in water for example) and which don't.

Mixtures are created by combining materials together. Solids, liquids, and gases can be mixed together. You will have seen some materials dissolving when you've added them to water. Sugar dissolves in water. It is a solute and water is the solvent. The mix of water and sugar is called a solution. Some other materials, like sand for example, do not dissolve in water. Instead the particles are spread out when you shake the mixture. This is called a suspension. The particles in a suspension will eventually settle to the bottom.

What's the difference between a solvent, a solute and a solution? See how much you can remember from your investigations by trying this Mixing and Dissolving quiz.