Question

Explain the following giving examples:
(a) Saturated solution
(b) Unsaturated solution
(c) Suspension.

Answer 1

(a) A solution in which at a given temperature, no more solute can be dissolved by the solvent is called a saturated solution. The concentration of such solutions is the maximum at a given temperature. For example: If we mix salt in water to get a salt solution, and continue adding the salt slowly while stirring. At some point of time, the solution reaches a state where even though salt is added and stirred, some of the salt stays undissolved. The solution has reached its saturation level at that temperature.

(b) A solution in which at a given temperature, more solute can be dissolved by the solvent is called an unsaturated solution. Unsaturated solutions can be made saturated by adding more solute to it. In the activity mentioned in (a), the solution obtained in the beginning (before salt started remaining undissolved) is an unsaturated solution.

(c) A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture of 2 or more components. The particles forming the suspension are visible to the naked eye. In this mixture, the solute particles do not dissolve in the solvent. Instead, they remain suspended in the solvent medium. When left undisturbed, the solute particles tend to settle down at the bottom of the container. For example, a mixture of sand and water forms a suspension.