Which best describes the role of a solvent in a solution?

The role of a solvent in a solution is to dissolve other substances, which is precisely what is captured in the correct answer. A solvent acts as the medium in which solutes are dissolved, allowing for the formation of a homogeneous mixture known as a solution. Water is commonly referred to as the "universal solvent" because of its ability to dissolve a wide variety of substances.

In a solution, the solvent typically appears in a greater amount compared to the solute, which is the substance being dissolved. This aligns with the characteristics of most solutions where the solvent is the primary component facilitating the dissolution process.

The other aspects mentioned in the other options help clarify the concept further. A solvent does not have to be a solid; it can be a liquid or gas as well, which rules out the option that describes it as always being a solid. Additionally, while it is commonly the most abundant component, there are instances in certain formulations where this may not hold true in less common scenarios. Finally, while a solvent typically interacts with a solute to create a solution, it can exist independently and does not depend on a solute to be classified as a solvent. Thus, the definition provided by the correct answer succinctly embodies the essential role of a solvent in