When alcohol dissolves something, where does the dissolved substance go?

Question

When alcohol dissolves something, where does the dissolved substance go?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

Looked at in a general sense, why does something dissolve rather than staying as a solid in the bottom of the container of solvent? The answer is because the individual molecules would rather associate with ( * ) molecules of the solvent than with other molecules of the solid substance. So they spread out as separate molecules surrounded by molecules of the solvent, be it alcohol, water or some other liquid.

* in scientific language, be in a lower energy state.