A solvent is a substance that is used to dissolve another substance (called solute) into it. For example, when we mix salt and water together, salt is the solute and the water is the solvent because water dissolves the salt.
Here are some examples of solvents in our daily lives:
1. As nail polish remover: acetone is a commonly used solvent in nail polish removers.
2. Rubbing alcohol: isopropanol is commonly used as rubbing alcohol for degreasing surfaces.
3. Oils, such as turpentine and gasoline (petrol): are commonly used for removing oily deposits.
4. Dry-cleaning chemicals: TCE (trichloroethylene) was the most commonly used chemical for dry-cleaning of clothes. Trichloroethane is another alternative for the same.
5. Water: the most important solvent in our lives. It dissolves minerals and is also used for cleaning purposes (as well as many other uses it serves in our daily lives).
Thus, we commonly use solvents in our day-to-day life for cleaning purposes and also for transport of minerals and nutrients (through water), and so on.
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