Solution Chemistry Example 2
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Example 2
mediumDescribe the differences among unsaturated, saturated, and supersaturated solutions. How can you experimentally distinguish between them?
Solution
- 1 Unsaturated: contains less solute than the maximum it can dissolve at that temperature. Adding more solute will dissolve completely.
- 2 Saturated: contains the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve at that temperature. Adding more solute results in undissolved solid remaining.
- 3 Supersaturated: contains more solute than normally possible at that temperature (achieved by cooling a hot saturated solution carefully). Adding a seed crystal or disturbing the solution causes rapid crystallization.
Answer
The concentration of a saturated solution is called the solubility of the solute at that temperature. Supersaturated solutions are metastable — they exist in an unstable state and crystallize rapidly when disturbed.
About Solution
A homogeneous mixture formed when one or more solutes are completely dissolved in a solvent at the molecular level, resulting in a uniform composition throughout.
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