The solute in steel is carbon.
Steel is an alloy, which means it is a mixture of metals or a metal and another element. In the case of steel, it's primarily iron with carbon added. The reference explains this relationship: "steel is an alloy of iron; it is a case of a solid dissolved in a solid, where iron is the solvent and carbon is the solute."
Here's a breakdown:
- Solvent: The substance present in the largest amount, which dissolves the other substance(s). In steel, iron is the solvent.
- Solute: The substance that is dissolved in the solvent. In steel, carbon is the solute.
Think of it like dissolving sugar in water. Water is the solvent and sugar is the solute. Similarly, iron is the "water" and carbon is the "sugar" in steel. The carbon atoms fit into the iron lattice structure, altering the properties of the iron and making it stronger and more durable.
