The Amazing World of Solutes, Solvents, and Solutions - Saturated and Unsaturated Solutions
Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.
🔑Concepts
A Solution is a homogeneous mixture formed when a Solute dissolves in a Solvent. For example, in a salt solution, salt is the solute and water () is the solvent.
An Unsaturated Solution is a solution in which more of the solute can be dissolved at a particular temperature without changing the volume of the solvent.
A Saturated Solution is a solution in which no more solute can be dissolved at a given temperature. If any more solute is added, it will simply settle at the bottom.
Solubility refers to the maximum amount of a solute that can be dissolved in a specific amount of solvent at a specific temperature.
Effect of Temperature: The solubility of most solids in water increases with an increase in temperature. A saturated solution can be made unsaturated by heating it, allowing it to dissolve more solute.
Water () is often called the 'Universal Solvent' because it can dissolve a wide variety of substances compared to any other liquid.
📐Formulae
💡Examples
Problem 1:
Rohan added of sugar to of water and stirred it until it disappeared. He added another and it also dissolved. What type of solution did he have initially?
Solution:
Unsaturated Solution
Explanation:
Since the solution was able to dissolve more sugar after the first was added, the initial solution was unsaturated.
Problem 2:
A beaker contains a saturated solution of salt () in water. What will happen if the beaker is heated?
Solution:
The solution will become unsaturated.
Explanation:
Heating increases the kinetic energy of the water molecules, increasing the solubility. As a result, the solution can now dissolve more salt ().
Problem 3:
If you stir salt into a glass of water and some salt remains at the bottom no matter how much you stir, what is this state called?
Solution:
Saturated state.
Explanation:
When the solvent has dissolved the maximum possible amount of solute at that temperature, it reaches its saturation point. Any extra solute remains undissolved at the bottom.