What is a Saturated solution: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Updated on Jun 4, 2024 16:11 IST

A solution containing the full volume of liquid that can be dissolved under the environment under which the solution occurs is a saturated solution.

Table of content

How is a Saturated Solution Prepared?
Saturation categories
Chapter Weightage & Details
Illustrated Examples
FAQs on Saturated Solution

How is a Saturated Solution Prepared?

Through constantly applying solute to a solution, a saturated solution is prepared until it reaches a point where the solute occurs as a solid precipitate or as crystals to create an extremely saturated solution.

Remember the mechanism by which table sugar is applied to a water bottle.
Initially, as the solvent is stirred, the added sugar dissolves.
Finally, a stage is reached where more sugar has been added, where no amount of stirring can allow the added sugar to melt.
The last sugar applied stays on the bottom of the bottle as a solid; the solution is saturated.

Saturation categories

The three key modes of saturation are explained below.

Types of Saturation	Definitions	Example
Saturated Solution	A solution that is in proportion with respect to a given dissolved substance is a saturated solution.	Carbonated water
Unsaturated Solution	A solution that is not in equilibrium with the dissolved material in question and in which more compounds will be dissolved.	NaCl in water
Supersaturated Solution	A solvent contains more liquid compounds than a solution that is saturated.	Sugar is dissolved in a saturated solution by heating.

Chapter Weightage & Details

This concept is taught under the Structure of Atoms. In this chapter, you will learn about types and factors controlling saturation point. The weightage of this chapter is 6 marks in the final exam.

Illustrated Examples

1. What happens when a saturated solution becomes a solution?

Answer: This means that it can no longer melt and instead stay stable as you add any of the compounds.

2. How can you test if a solution is unsaturated or supersaturated by saturation?

Answer: It's possible to see whether a solution is unsaturated, saturated, or supersaturated by applying a very tiny volume of solute. The solute dissolves if the solvent is unsaturated. If it saturates the solution, it won't. If the solution is supersaturated, the solution you have applied will form crystals very easily around it.

3. How does a solution become unsaturated?

Answer: Unsaturated solutions are solutions in which the dissolved solute concentration is less than the solvent saturation limit (at that specific temperature gradient).

FAQs on Saturated Solution

Q: How do you know if a solution is saturated?

A: If more solute is added and it does not dissolve, it is then saturated with the initial solution. If the solvent applied is dissolved, the initial solution is unsaturated.

Q: What makes a solution which is supersaturated?

A: A solution that is supersaturated is a solution that contains more than the maximum quantity of solute that can be dissolved at a given temperature.

Q: How can you say if there is a supersaturation of a solution?

A: A supersaturated solution behaves like an unsaturated solution with no solution at the bottom of the solution. There's more solute, though, than the solvent will possibly hold. Every small alteration to the solution would allow all the liquid to come out of it.

Q: What is an example of a saturated solution?

A: Carbonated water is filled with carbon, which is why carbon is emitted through bubbles. By adding sugar to water until it stops dissolving completely produces a saturated solution. A saturated solution is formed by continually dissolving salt into water until it can no longer dissolve.

Q: How do you get a solution which is supersaturated?

A: By first dissolving the solution in water at an elevated temperature, an aqueous solution can be made supersaturated by using sufficiently to give a concentration at the temperature far below its solubility. The solvent is cooled until the rest of the solute crystals have melted.