Solution solute in a solution is the mass of that solute expressed as a percentage of the mass of the whole solution. "Homogeneous" means that the components of the mixture form a single phase. "Heterogeneous" means that the components of the mixture are of different phase. The properties of the mixture (such as concentration, temperature, and density) can be uniformly distributed through the volume but only in absence of diffusion phenomena or after their completion. Usually, the substance present in the greatest amount is considered the solvent. Solvents can be gases, liquids or solids. One or more components present in the
Chemistry: A Volatile History of a flame – this led Cavendish to name the gas inflammable air, which he believed to be one and the same as phlogiston. Cavendish, though he did not realise it, made an important observation about burning phlogiston in air; a dewy liquid was formed on the inside of the glassware: water. This should have had enormous repercussions for the whole scientific community in the 1700s, who still believed water to be an elemental substance. Yet, if water could be "made" by burning inflammable air, then water is "not" an element, but a compound. However, it simply did not occur