Which term refers to the interaction of a solvent with dissolved molecules or ions?

The correct term for the interaction of a solvent with dissolved molecules or ions is solvation. This process occurs when solvent molecules surround solute particles, leading to the stabilization of the solute in solution. Solvation is crucial to understanding how substances dissolve and how solutes behave in a solvent, since it helps to explain the solubility and reactivity of different compounds.

When a solute is introduced to a solvent, the solvation process can result in various physical and chemical changes. For instance, in aqueous solutions, water molecules interact with ions through ion-dipole interactions, effectively separating and surrounding the ions, which helps to keep them dispersed in the solution.

The other terms, such as solute, species, and source, do not specifically address the interaction between solvent and dissolved entities. A solute refers to the substance that is dissolved in a solvent, while species generally describes any distinct chemical entity, which could include atoms, ions, or molecules. The term source may refer to the origin of a substance but is unrelated to the interaction dynamics between a solvent and solute. Thus, solvation is the most accurate term to describe this specific interaction.