How can we say a solution that it is a saturated or supersaturated solution give some examples
How can we say a solution that it is a saturated or supersaturated solution give some examples
A solution in which no more solute can be dissolved at any fixed temperature is called a saturated solution. In a saturated solution, dissolved and undissolved solutes are in equilibrium with each other. Any more solute added will settle down at the bottom of the container as a precipitate.
E.g. If 500 g of a solvent can dissolve a maximum of 150 g of a particular solute at 300 K. Then, the solution obtained by dissolving 150 g of that solute in 500 g of that solvent at 300 K is said to be a saturated solution at 300 K.
Any solution containing more solute than required to prepare a saturated solution at any fixed temperature is called supersaturated solution.
Supersaturated solution is a meta-stable state i.e. it will remain in supersaturated state so long it is left undisturbed. A slight disturbance (e.g. slight rise or fall of temperature) will turn it into a saturated solution.
I bet I can bring to mind a supersaturated solution that you have come across in your life. Think about making lemonade. Lemonade contains water, lemon juice, and sugar. Water is the solvent, and both lemon juice and sugar are the solutes. Maybe the lemons you used were extra tart, so you decide to add more sugar to offset the tart taste.
As you continue to add sugar, you will reach the point where the solution cannot contain anymore sugar. If you continue to add sugar past this point, then there will be too much sugar to dissolve into the water. You ended up with lemonade that wasn't sweet enough for you, and it has sugar floating in it rather than dissolved in it.
A solution in which no more solute can be dissolved at any fixed temperature is called a saturated solution. In a saturated solution, dissolved and undissolved solutes are in equilibrium with each other. Any more solute added will settle down at the bottom of the container as a precipitate.
E.g. If 500 g of a solvent can dissolve a maximum of 150 g of a particular solute at 300 K. Then, the solution obtained by dissolving 150 g of that solute in 500 g of that solvent at 300 K is said to be a saturated solution at 300 K.
Any solution containing more solute than required to prepare a saturated solution at any fixed temperature is called supersaturated solution.
Supersaturated solution is a meta-stable state i.e. it will remain in supersaturated state so long it is left undisturbed. A slight disturbance (e.g. slight rise or fall of temperature) will turn it into a saturated solution.
I bet I can bring to mind a supersaturated solution that you have come across in your life. Think about making lemonade. Lemonade contains water, lemon juice, and sugar. Water is the solvent, and both lemon juice and sugar are the solutes. Maybe the lemons you used were extra tart, so you decide to add more sugar to offset the tart taste.
As you continue to add sugar, you will reach the point where the solution cannot contain anymore sugar. If you continue to add sugar past this point, then there will be too much sugar to dissolve into the water. You ended up with lemonade that wasn't sweet enough for you, and it has sugar floating in it rather than dissolved in it.
