Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Mixtures and solutions

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use key terms to describe a solution and describe how making a solution affects its total mass.

      Key learning points

      1. A solution is formed when a soluble solid dissolves in an appropriate solvent
      2. In chemistry, mass is measured in grams (g)
      3. The mass of substances that are mixed adds together to give the total mass of the mixture (mass is conserved)

      Keywords

      • Solute - A solute is a substance that has dissolved into a solvent.

      • Solvent - A solvent is a substance into which a solute dissolves.

      • Soluble - When a solute dissolves, it is described as soluble.

      • Solution - When a solute and solvent combine, a solution forms.

      • Conservation of mass - The combined mass of starting materials equals the combined mass of the end products.

      Common misconception

      Pupils confuse similarly sounding key terms; solute, solvent, solution, soluble, insoluble.

      Spend time discussing ways to remember the differences, e.g. solvent has more letters = have more of it in the solution.

      Teacher tip

      Demonstrations of solubility in different solvents: iodine / sugar & water / cyclohexane work well. Using a visualiser for illustrating difference in volumes is particularly useful here.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which picture shows an insoluble substance?

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q2.
      Mass is measured in __________.

      centimetres
      millilitres
      Correct answer: grams
      centimetres-cubed

      Q3.
      Sugar dissolves in water, so sugar can be described as a solid.

      Correct Answer: soluble

      Q4.
      A is a material formed from two or more substances which can be physically separated.

      Correct Answer: mixture, mixtures

      Q5.
      Some students have been asked to describe this diagram using key terms. Who has used their key words correctly?

      An image in a quiz
      That shows a pure liquid.
      I'm think that might be a liquid mixture.
      I'm fairly certain this shows an impure solid.
      Correct answer: I reckon that's a pure solid.

      Q6.
      Melting is a reversible, physical change. Which of the following statements is also true about melting?

      Melting is what happens when a substance disappears.
      Melting occurs when solid particles become more regularly arranged.
      Melting is the process of a substance disappearing in a liquid.
      Correct answer: Melting occurs when solid particles become more irregularly arranged.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Select the two units used to measure mass.

      cm³
      km
      Correct answer: g
      s
      Correct answer: kg

      Q2.
      Sugar will dissolve in tea. Sugar is in tea.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: soluble

      Q3.
      If salt is dissolved in water. How would you describe the solution formed?

      clear
      Correct answer: colourless
      cloudy
      translucent
      opaque

      Q4.
      Match the definition to the word.

      Correct Answer:solute,can dissolve in a liquid

      can dissolve in a liquid

      Correct Answer:solvent,a liquid in which a substance can dissolve

      a liquid in which a substance can dissolve

      Correct Answer:solution,formed when a substance dissolves in a liquid

      formed when a substance dissolves in a liquid

      Correct Answer:insoluble,unable to dissolve in a particular liquid

      unable to dissolve in a particular liquid

      Q5.
      If 52.3 g of copper sulfate, a soluble substance, is added to some water and the final mass of the solution is 97.6 g, what was the mass of water?

      47.6 g
      52.3 g
      Correct answer: 45.3 g
      97.6 g
      42.3 g

      Q6.
      A cross is drawn on two white tiles using marker pen. The pen's ink is soluble in acetone and insoluble in water. What will you see if the left is wiped with acetone and the right is wiped with water?

      An image in a quiz
      A
      B
      Correct answer: C
      D

      To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Mixtures and solutions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...