Saturated, Unsaturated, and Supersaturated Solutions


Saturated Solution: 

                    A saturated solution is a solution that has reached its maximum solute capacity at a given temperature and pressure. Any additional solute will remain undissolved.

Unsaturated Solution: 

                    An unsaturated solution contains less than the maximum amount of solute it can hold at a given temperature and pressure. More solute can be added without forming a precipitate.

Supersaturated Solution: A supersaturated solution contains more solute than it can typically hold at a given temperature and pressure. This unstable state is often achieved by cooling a saturated solution slowly or by adding more solute while the solution is hot. Any disturbance can cause the excess solute to crystallize out.

Dilution of Solutions

Dilution is the process of decreasing the concentration of a solution by adding more solvent, which increases the overall volume while maintaining the amount of solute. This is commonly done to prepare solutions of desired concentrations from more concentrated stock solutions.

Dilution Formula:

●     C₁V₁ = C₂V₂

○     C₁ = concentration of the stock solution

○     V₁ = volume of the stock solution

○     C₂ = desired concentration of the diluted solution

○     V₂ = desired volume of the diluted solution

Key Points:

●     A saturated solution is at its maximum solute capacity.

●     An unsaturated solution has room for more solute.

●     A supersaturated solution is unstable and holds more solute than expected.

●     Dilution involves adding more solvent to decrease concentration.

●     The dilution formula is used to calculate the necessary stock solution volume for a desired dilution.