Describe unsaturated, saturated, and supersaturated solutions.
Unsaturated, saturated, and supersaturated solutions are different forms of liquid mixtures composed of a solute dissolved in a solvent.
1. Unsaturated Solution: An unsaturated solution is a solution that can dissolve more solute at a given temperature and pressure. In this type of solution, the solvent has the ability to dissolve additional solute. If more solute is added, it will dissolve completely without any undissolved particles remaining. The concentration of the solute in the solution is lower than its saturation point.
2. Saturated Solution: A saturated solution is a solution that has reached its maximum capacity of solute at a given temperature and pressure. In this type of solution, the solvent has dissolved the maximum amount of solute possible. If any additional solute is added, it will not dissolve, but instead accumulate as solid particles at the bottom of the container. The concentration of the solute in the solution is equal to its saturation point.
3. Supersaturated Solution: A supersaturated solution is a solution that contains more solute than it can normally dissolve at a given temperature and pressure. This is achieved by heating the solvent and dissolving a higher amount of solute, and then slowly cooling the solution down without allowing any solute particles to precipitate out. The solution appears stable, but it is actually in a metastable state. The solute is present in a higher concentration than its saturation point. Supersaturated solutions are usually very sensitive to disturbances, and even the slightest disturbance can cause the excess solute to crystallize and form solid particles.