Question

Difference between saturated solution unsaturated solution and supersaturated solution

Answer 1

Degree of saturation refers to the amount of solute dissolved in asolvent at a certain temperature. If the solvent could dissolve more solute than is present, thesolution is unsaturated. If the solvent has dissolved the maximum amount of solute possible (at that temperature), thesolution is saturated.

Supersaturation is a state of asolution that contains more of the dissolved material than could be dissolved by the solvent under normal circumstances. It can also refer to a vapor of a compound that has a higher (partial) pressure than the vapor pressure of that compound.

Answer 2

SATURATED SOLUTION : The term saturated solution is used in chemistry to define a solution in which no more solute can be dissolved in the solvent. It is understood that saturation of the solution has been achieved when any additional substance that is added results in a solid precipitate or is let off as a gas. In other words, a saturated solution is a solution that contains the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved under the condition at which the solution exists.

UNSATURATED SOLUTION : Unsaturated solutions are those solutions which contain less amount of solute in them than that of the actual amount of solvent which can be dissolved. In an unsaturated solution, the concentration of solute is much lower than its solubility equilibrium. Each solute will have a limit with respect to the specific solvent.

SUPERSATURATED SOLUTION : A supersaturated solution contains more dissolved solute than required for preparing a saturated solution and can be prepared by heating a saturated solution, adding more solute, and then cooling it gently. Excess dissolved solute crystallizes by seeding supersaturated solution with a few crystals of the solute.