In the solution known as air, which component acts as the solvent?

• A. Water vapor
• B. Nitrogen
• C. Oxygen
• D. Carbon dioxide

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of a solvent in a solution: the solvent is the component present in the greatest amount, which dissolves other substances (solutes).
2. Recognize that air is a mixture of gases, primarily nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.
3. Identify the relative abundance of each component in air: nitrogen makes up about 78%, oxygen about 21%, argon about 1%, and carbon dioxide and water vapor are present in much smaller amounts.
4. Since nitrogen is the most abundant gas in air, it acts as the solvent, while the other gases are considered solutes.
5. Therefore, in the solution known as air, nitrogen is the solvent because it is the major component that dissolves the other gases.