What happens when soluble powders are mixed with water?

When soluble powders are mixed with water, they create a solution. This process involves the soluble powder dissolving into the water, resulting in a homogeneous mixture where the individual particles of the powder are dispersed evenly throughout the liquid. The characteristic that distinguishes a solution is that the solute (in this case, the soluble powder) completely integrates with the solvent (water), allowing for the properties of the mixture to change compared to the individual components.

In contrast, forming a dense paste would occur with non-soluble powders or if too much powder is added relative to the amount of water. Remaining as a solid indicates that the powder is not soluble in water, which is not the case for soluble powders; they are specifically designed to dissolve. The production of harmful gases would be a characteristic of certain chemical reactions but does not apply here since soluble powders are meant to dissolve rather than react in a way that generates gases. Thus, creating a solution effectively demonstrates the intended interaction between soluble powders and water.