If the solubility of arsenic trioxide in water at 25 C is 20g/1L water, would 250mL of water at 25 C containing 3.5g of arsenic trioxide be saturated, unsaturated, or supersaturated?
To determine if a solution is saturated, unsaturated, or supersaturated, we need to compare the amount of solute (in this case, arsenic trioxide) dissolved in the solution to the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved at that temperature.
Given data:
Solubility of arsenic trioxide in water at 25°C = 20g/1L water.
Amount of arsenic trioxide = 3.5g.
Amount of water = 250mL.
First, we need to convert the volume of water to liters:
250mL ÷ 1000 = 0.25L
Now, let's compare the amount of arsenic trioxide dissolved (3.5g) to the maximum amount that can be dissolved (20g) in the amount of water provided (0.25L).
The given amount of arsenic trioxide (3.5g) is less than the maximum amount of arsenic trioxide that can be dissolved (20g). Therefore, the solution is unsaturated.
In an unsaturated solution, the amount of solute dissolved is less than its maximum solubility, so more solute can be added to the solution without exceeding its solubility limit.
In summary, the solution of 250mL of water at 25°C containing 3.5g of arsenic trioxide is unsaturated.