Final answer:
In a dilute aqueous solution of potassium chloride, the solute is potassium chloride, and the solvent is water. Ion-dipole forces between water molecules and KCl ions create hydrated ions, allowing the K+ and Cl- ions to disperse into the solution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Identifying Solute and Solvent in Potassium Chloride Solution
When KCl is added to water, ion-dipole forces facilitate the dissolution process. The hydrogen end of the polar water molecules is attracted to the negative chloride ions, and the negative (oxygen) end is attracted to the positive potassium ions. This interaction between the ion and water molecules leads to the formation of hydrated ions, where the ionic compound is surrounded by water molecules, allowing K+ and Cl- ions to move independently in the solution.
The ion-dipole attraction reduces the electrostatic forces that bind the ions in the solid state, thus increasing the disorder of the system and resulting in a solution where the ions are freely mobile. This process is crucial for common ionic compounds, such as KCl, which dissolve with absorption of heat, reflecting an endothermic process.