What substance is used to dissolve another substance?

a solution
a solvent
carbon
oxygen

The substance that is used to dissolve another substance is called a solvent. A solvent is a liquid, solid, or gas that has the ability to dissolve other substances, known as solutes, to form a solution. In a solution, the solvent plays the role of the dissolving agent, while the solute is the substance being dissolved. Common examples of solvents include water, alcohol, acetone, and various organic solvents.

To determine which substance is used as a solvent, you can consider the properties of the substances involved. Solvents are typically liquids, but in some cases, they can also be gases or even solids, depending on the specific solute and the conditions under which the solvation occurs.

Carbon and oxygen, as mentioned in the options, are chemical elements that can be part of various compounds but are not liquids or substances typically used as solvents. Therefore, the correct answer to your question is a solvent.