Difference between revisions of "Saturated solution"
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| − | A [[solution]] in which the maximum amount of [[solute]] has been dissolved.<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Chemistry''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998</ref> | + | A '''saturated solution''' is a [[solution]] in which the maximum amount of [[solute]] has been dissolved.<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Chemistry''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998</ref> This amount is set by the [[chemical]] properties of the solvent and solute, as well as the [[temperature]] and [[pressure]] of the system. |
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| + | In some cases it is possible to have an amount of solute dissolved in the solution which is greater than the normal maximum solubility of the system. In this case the system is ''supersaturated''. Since solubility of liquids generally goes up with temperature, one way to supersaturate a solution is by heating the system, creating a saturated solution, then gently reducing the temperature. If no solute falls out of solution, then the solution is has more solute dissolved than it theoretically should be able to at the given temperature. | ||
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| + | ==See Also== | ||
| + | *[[Solubility]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 03:55, October 5, 2007
A saturated solution is a solution in which the maximum amount of solute has been dissolved.[1] This amount is set by the chemical properties of the solvent and solute, as well as the temperature and pressure of the system.
In some cases it is possible to have an amount of solute dissolved in the solution which is greater than the normal maximum solubility of the system. In this case the system is supersaturated. Since solubility of liquids generally goes up with temperature, one way to supersaturate a solution is by heating the system, creating a saturated solution, then gently reducing the temperature. If no solute falls out of solution, then the solution is has more solute dissolved than it theoretically should be able to at the given temperature.
See Also
References
- ↑ Wile, Dr. Jay L. Exploring Creation With Chemistry. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998