What does the term "molarity" refer to?

Molarity is a key concept in chemistry used to express the concentration of a solution. Specifically, it refers to the number of moles of solute present in one liter of the entire solution. This measure is crucial because it allows chemists to understand how much of a substance is dissolved in a specific volume, which is essential for stoichiometric calculations and reactions where precise concentrations are necessary for predicting outcomes.

In the context of solutions, knowing the molarity helps you determine how much solute is required to achieve a desired concentration in a given volume of solvent. Molarity is typically expressed in units of moles per liter (mol/L). This definition distinguishes molarity from other concepts related to solutions, such as the amount of solvent, the total volume of the solution, or the mass of solute, which do not adequately convey the idea of concentration relevant for many chemical reactions and processes.