Which term is used to define a mixture that occurs when one substance dissolves another?

The term that defines a mixture formed when one substance dissolves another is "solution." In a solution, the dissolved substance is known as the solute, while the substance doing the dissolving is called the solvent. This process results in a homogeneous mixture, where the solute is evenly distributed within the solvent, creating a single phase.

For instance, when salt dissolves in water, the salt is the solute, and water is the solvent, creating a saline solution. Solutions are characterized by their ability to pass through filters and their uniform appearance, which distinguishes them from other types of mixtures, such as suspensions and emulsions.

Suspensions, on the other hand, consist of solid particles dispersed in a liquid, where the particles can settle over time, creating separation. Emulsions involve the mixing of two immiscible liquids, such as oil and water, often stabilized by an emulsifier. Mixtures more generally refer to any combination of substances, but without the specific context of one substance being dissolved into another, it lacks the precision required for this question. Therefore, solution is the most accurate term to describe what occurs when one substance dissolves another.