<span>Silver is usually alloyed with copper to increase the
hardness and strength of sterling silver. Pure silver is relatively soft and
prone to tarnishing so other metals like those that copper is used to reduce
tarnishing and act as a solute in sterling silver. Copper is usually soluble in
most solvents.</span>
The components of the substance is the solute and the solvent. The one that exists in a larger amount is most referred to as the solvent and the one that is in smaller amount is the solute. Comparing the amounts of the substances, the solute would be the copper.
