The statement "A solution is always a liquid" is not accurate. In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances, where one substance (the solute) is dissolved in another (the solvent). While solutions can indeed be liquids, they can also exist in other states of matter, such as gases and solids. Therefore, solutions can be found in various physical states, not limited to just liquids.
Here are some examples of solutions in different states:
Liquid Solutions: Common examples include saltwater (sodium chloride dissolved in water) and sugar dissolved in coffee.
Gaseous Solutions: The air we breathe is a gaseous solution, consisting of various gases like oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and others mixed together.
Solid Solutions: Alloys are solid solutions, such as bronze (a mixture of copper and tin) and steel (a mixture of iron and carbon).
So, solutions can exist in different phases depending on the physical state of the solute and solvent involved. The key characteristic of a solution is its homogeneity, where the solute particles are evenly distributed throughout the solvent, regardless of the physical state of the solution.