How is concentration defined in chemistry?

Concentration in chemistry is defined as the amount of solute present in a specified volume of solution. This definition highlights the relationship between the quantity of solute (such as a salt, sugar, or any other substance that is dissolved) and the total volume of the solution it is in. Concentration can be expressed in various units, such as molarity (moles of solute per liter of solution), mass percent, or parts per million, all of which fundamentally relate to the ratio of solute to solution size.

The importance of understanding concentration lies in its role in reactions, where the amount of reactants can affect the rate and equilibrium of chemical processes. Knowing the concentration of reactants allows chemists to predict how reactions will proceed under specified conditions, making it a critical concept in both theoretical and practical chemistry.