Phosphorus-doped liquid silicon

So far we have considered only pure, one-component systems. When a solute dissolves in such a system, it produces a solution—a homogeneous mixture of two or more components—which can be solid, liquid, or gas. The solute affects the physical properties of the solvent. Solid solutions of solutes in metalloid and nonmetal solvents, such as silicon doped with a tiny amount of phosphorus as solute, exhibit electrical properties that make them the primary materials of the electronics industry (Section 3.13). When we spread salt on icy sidewalks, we are creating a mixture of salt and water that lowers the freezing point of water. If that temperature is lower than the ambient temperature, the ice melts. Gaseous solutions—which are more commonly regarded simply as mixtures—are used... 

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