In solution chemistry, a concentrated solution is best described as one that contains what relative amounts of solute and solvent?

Introduction / Context:
In basic chemistry, terms like dilute and concentrated are used to describe how much solute is present in a solution compared with the amount of solvent. These terms are qualitative but important for understanding everyday examples such as concentrated fruit juices, strong acids, or weak salt solutions. This question asks you to identify the correct description of a concentrated solution in terms of the relative amounts of solute and solvent.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• A solution consists of a solute (the substance being dissolved) and a solvent (the substance doing the dissolving, usually present in larger amount).
• Concentrated and dilute are comparative, not absolute, terms.
• The options describe different possible combinations of solute and solvent amounts, including extremes like no solute or no solvent.
• We assume normal usage of these terms in school level chemistry.

Concept / Approach:
A concentrated solution contains a relatively large amount of solute dissolved in a given amount of solvent, while a dilute solution contains a relatively small amount of solute in the same amount of solvent. It is not necessary to specify exact numerical values; the key is the higher proportion of solute relative to solvent. A solution cannot exist without both solute and solvent present; if there is no solvent, the system is not a solution but just pure solute, and if there is no solute, the system is just pure solvent.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the definition of a solution as a homogeneous mixture of solute and solvent. Step 2: Understand that a concentrated solution has more solute per unit volume or per unit mass of solvent compared with a dilute solution. Step 3: Eliminate the option "no solute at all" because a solution without solute is simply pure solvent and not concentrated. Step 4: Eliminate the option "no solvent at all" because there must be a solvent present for a solution to exist. Step 5: Recognise that "a large amount of solute dissolved in a given amount of solvent" correctly describes a concentrated solution and select that option.

Verification / Alternative check:
Everyday examples support this interpretation. Concentrated acids, such as concentrated hydrochloric acid, contain a high proportion of HCl solute compared with water solvent. Concentrated fruit juices have less water relative to the amount of sugar and flavour compounds. When water is added, these solutions become more dilute because the amount of solute per unit solvent decreases. These examples illustrate that the term concentrated is always associated with a higher solute content in a fixed amount of solvent, confirming the correctness of the chosen definition.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
A solution with no solute is just pure solvent and cannot be described as concentrated; it has zero solute. A solution with no solvent is not a solution at all, but simply pure solute. The option that describes a large amount of solvent and very little solute is essentially describing a dilute solution, not a concentrated one. These descriptions do not match the commonly accepted meaning of a concentrated solution and are therefore incorrect in this context.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the absolute amount of solute with the relative concentration and think that any large amount of liquid must be concentrated, regardless of how much solute is actually dissolved. Another pitfall is forgetting that both solute and solvent must be present to use the terminology of solutions. To avoid these mistakes, focus on the ratio of solute to solvent rather than the absolute quantities and remember that concentrated means a higher ratio of solute to solvent compared with a dilute solution.

Final Answer:
A concentrated solution is best described as containing a large amount of solute dissolved in a given amount of solvent.