In science, a solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution. Solvents are usually liquids, but they can also be gases, solids, or supercritical fluids. Solvents are capable of dissolving one or several substances, thus creating a solution. The most common example of a solvent is water, which is generally used for dissolving polar molecules. Water is widely regarded as a universal solvent, since it can dissolve virtually any solute. There are two types of solvents depending on polarity: non-polar and polar. Polar solvents, such as water, have a very high polarity, which is why they are capable of dissolving polar solutes. This also applies to other polar solvents like methanol too. Non-polar solutes include grease, oil, or fat, which don’t dissolve in water at all. Non-polar solvents are used instead, including benzene and carbon tetrachloride. Solvents are commonly used in a variety of different industries, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, foodstuffs, textile, rubber, engineering, construction, ink or paint manufacturing plants.