http://www.ck12.org Chapter 3. Chemical Interactions
Saturation Depends on the Solute
TheFigure3.95 shows the amounts of several different solutes that will dissolve in a liter of water at 20 °C. As you
can see from the graph, solutes vary greatly in how soluble they are in water. For example, you can dissolve almost
20 times as much sugar as baking soda in the same amount of water at this temperature.
FIGURE 3.95
Q:Assume that a solution contains 150 grams of Epsom salt in 1 liter of water at 20 °C. Is the solution saturated or
unsaturated?
A:A saturated solution of Epsom salt in 1 liter of 20 °C water would contain 250 grams of Epsom salt. Therefore,
this solution is unsaturated. It can hold another 100 grams of Epsom salt.
Q:What do you think would happen if you added more than 250 grams of Epsom salt to a liter of 20 °C water?
A:Any Epsom salt over 250 grams would not dissolve in the solution.
Summary
- A saturated solution is a solution that contains as much solute as can dissolve in a given solvent at a given
temperature. An unsaturated solution is a solution that contains less solute than can dissolve in a given solvent
at a given temperature. - Solutes differ in their solubility in a given solvent. Therefore, a saturated solution of one solute might contain
more or less solute than a saturated solution of a different solute.
Vocabulary
- saturated solution: Solution that contains as much solute as can dissolve at a given temperature.
- unsaturated solution: Solution that contains less solute than can dissolve at a given temperature.