What does the results table indicate about the solute in this solution?

[tex]
\[
\begin{array}{|c|c|}
\hline
\text{Temp} \left({ }^{\circ} C \right) & \text{Concentration} \left(\frac{g \text{ solute}}{\text{mL solvent}}\right) \\
\hline
18.5 & 1.43 \\
\hline
37.9 & 0.81 \\
\hline
59.3 & 0.30 \\
\hline
80.1 & 0.21 \\
\hline
\end{array}
\]
[/tex]

A. The solute is a GAS because the amount dissolved INCREASES as temperature increases.

B. The solute is a SOLID because the amount dissolved DECREASES as temperature increases.

C. The solute is a GAS because the amount dissolved DECREASES as temperature increases.

D. The solute is a SOLID because the amount dissolved INCREASES as temperature increases.

To determine the nature of the solute based on the given data, let’s look at how the concentration changes with temperature.

Here's the data we have:

- At 18.5°C, the concentration is 1.43 g/mL.
- At 37.9°C, the concentration is 0.81 g/mL.
- At 59.3°C, the concentration is 0.30 g/mL.
- At 80.1°C, the concentration is 0.21 g/mL.

Analysis:

1. Understand the Trend: As the temperature increases from 18.5°C to 80.1°C, the concentration of the solute decreases.

2. What Does This Mean?
- If a solute is a gas, it typically dissolves more in the solvent at lower temperatures. As the temperature rises, gases tend to become less soluble.
- Conversely, many solid solutes become more soluble in a solvent as the temperature increases.

Here, we see that the concentration decreases as the temperature increases, indicating that the solubility of the solute is decreasing with rising temperature.

Conclusion:

Based on this decrease in concentration with increasing temperature, it suggests that the solute is a gas. Gases generally dissolve less in liquids as the temperature increases. Therefore, the correct conclusion is:

"The solute is a GAS because the amount dissolved DECREASES as temperature increases."