About solute and solvent

A solute is a substance that gets dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. The solvent, on the other hand, is the substance in which the solute dissolves.


For example, in a solution of saltwater, salt is the solute and water is the solvent. Similarly, in a cup of coffee, coffee grounds are the solute and hot water is the solvent. The resulting coffee is the solution.


 Diffusion:

 This is the movement of particles (solute) from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration in a solvent. It's a passive process driven by the natural tendency of particles to disperse and achieve equilibrium.


Osmosis: 

This is a specialized form of diffusion specifically involving the movement of solvent molecules (usually water) across a selectively permeable membrane. In osmosis, water moves from an area of lower solute concentration (higher water concentration) to an area of higher solute concentration (lower water concentration) through the membrane, aiming to balance the concentration on both sides.


So, diffusion involves the movement of solute particles, while osmosis involves the movement of solvent molecules, both seeking equilibrium in concentration between different areas.