What is the term for the reduction of the concentration of a solute in a solution?

The term for the reduction of the concentration of a solute in a solution is dilution. Dilution involves adding more solvent to a solution, which increases the volume and thereby reduces the concentration of the solute present. This process is commonly used in various applications, including laboratory settings and industrial processes, to achieve desired concentrations for reactions or other uses.

Absorption involves the uptake of a substance into another material or phase, while diffusion refers to the movement of solute particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached. Evaporation is the process of a liquid turning into vapor, which does not directly relate to changing the concentration of a solute in a solution but instead pertains to phase change. Understanding the specific definitions and contexts of these terms helps clarify why dilution is the correct choice regarding the reduction of solute concentration.