In a solution, what is the term for the substance that exists in the greater amount?

The substance that exists in the greater amount in a solution is referred to as the solvent. In the context of a solution, the solvent is the component that dissolves the other substances, known as solutes. For instance, when salt is dissolved in water, water acts as the solvent because it is present in a larger quantity compared to the salt.

Understanding the roles of solute and solvent is fundamental in chemistry, particularly in the study of solutions. The solute is the substance that gets dissolved, while the solvent facilitates that dissolution process. Knowing this distinction allows one to better grasp the composition of solutions in various scientific contexts.