A #"saturated solution"# is one in which.....?

#"A. the solvent contains an amount of solute EQUAL to that which would be in equilibrium with undissolved solute."#
#"B. the solvent has dissolved the maximum amount of solute."#
#"C. the solvent has dissolved an unspecified amount of solute."#
#"D. none of the given definitions are appropriate."#

1 Answer
anor277
Feb 22, 2017

#"A. the solvent.............."#

Explanation:

Water is an excellent solvent for most solutes.

In a solution, the bulk phase is the #"solvent"#, which is conceived to #"dissolve"# one or more #"solutes"#, which may initially be solid, liquid, or gas, and the resultant homogeneous mixture is a #"solution"#. If there is equilibrium between undissolved solute, and dissolved solute, as shown, the solution is said to be #"saturated:"#

#"Undissolved solute "rightleftharpoons " Dissolved solute"#

If such a solution is filtered off from the undissolved solute, the resulting #"filtrate"# is known as #"saturated solution"#. This last definition is a very important one and specifies an equilibrium condition. A #"supersaturated solution"# contains an amount of solute greater than the amount that would be in equilibrium with undissolved solute - this is a metastable condition that can be brought back to equilibrium, to saturation, by scratching the sides of the vessel, or by introducing a seed crystal, often with spectacular results.

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