Video Transcript
Which of the following can be used to calculate the percentage by volume, percent volume by volume, of a solution? (A) Percent volume by volume equals volume of solute divided by volume of solution times 100 percent. (B) Percent volume by volume equals volume of solution divided by volume of solute times 100 percent. (C) Percent volume by volume equals volume of solute times volume of solution divided by 100 percent. (D) Percent volume by volume equals volume of solution times volume of solute divided by 100 percent. (E) Percent volume by volume equals volume of solute plus volume of solution divided by volume of solution times 100 percent.
To help us choose the correct equation, let’s take a look at a slightly different question. What percentage of the dots are pink? We can calculate a percentage by taking the part in question, dividing it by the whole, and multiplying by 100 percent. Therefore, to determine the percentage of dots that are pink, we can take the number of pink dots, the part, and divide it by the total number of dots, the whole, then multiply by 100 percent. This idea can be applied to a solution.
A solution consists of two components, the solute, which is the minor component, and the solvent, the major component. The solute can also be described as the substance which dissolves. Percentage by volume is a measure of the amount of solute present in a solution. That means that the part in a percentage-by-volume calculation is the solute and the whole is the total solution.
With this in mind, which of the following can be used to calculate the percentage by volume of a solution? Answer choice (A), percent volume by volume equals the volume of the solute divided by the volume of the solution times 100 percent.
