In chemistry, what does "concentration" refer to?

Concentration is defined as the amount of solute present in a specified volume of solution. This is a fundamental concept in chemistry that quantifies how much of a substance is dissolved in a given volume of solvent. It is essential for understanding solution properties, predicting behavior in chemical reactions, and performing calculations in various applications, including stoichiometry and dilutions.

The measurement of concentration can take different forms, such as molarity (moles of solute per liter of solution), mass percent, or parts per million, among others. This clarity of definition allows chemists to communicate effectively about how solutions behave and how they can be manipulated in experimental contexts. Understanding concentration is crucial for preparing solutions at specific strengths, which is often required in laboratory practices and industrial applications.