Solvents are chemical compounds that are used for dissolving something (known as solute). When a solute is mixed with a solvent, a solution is obtained. Some examples of solvents are:
- water: is commonly considered as the universal solvent, because a large number of substances dissolve in water. Water is used for cleaning the house, mixes with a lot of other substances (and becomes polluted) such as, pesticides, insecticides, etc. It also mixed with common household beverages such as milk, etc.
- Ethanol: is a commonly used solvent for perfumes, since it evaporates and spreads the smell.
- TCE or tetrachloroethylene: is commonly used for dry-cleaning applications (for cleaning expensive and delicate clothes).
- Toluene: is commonly used as paint thinner.
- Chloroform: is commonly used in chemical/biological labs for cleaning and also for dissolving expensive solutes (such as biomolecules-saccharides, etc.)
Hope this helps.
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