A solution that contains the maximum amount of dissolved solute.

A solution that contains the maximum amount of dissolved solute.

• A. Nonelectrolyte
• B. Supersaturated solution
• C. Unsaturated solution
• D. Saturated solution

Answer: (D)

A solution contains the maximum amount of dissolved solute at a given temperature when it has reached its solubility limit. At that point the system is in dynamic equilibrium: dissolved molecules continually exchange with solid solute so that the amount in solution stays constant. This means you can’t dissolve any more solute under the same conditions, and adding more tends to cause excess to crystallize out. An unsaturated solution has less than this maximum and can still dissolve more solute, while a supersaturated solution temporarily holds more dissolved solute than the usual limit but is unstable and can precipitate when disturbed.

A solution contains the maximum amount of dissolved solute at a given temperature when it has reached its solubility limit. At that point the system is in dynamic equilibrium: dissolved molecules continually exchange with solid solute so that the amount in solution stays constant. This means you can’t dissolve any more solute under the same conditions, and adding more tends to cause excess to crystallize out. An unsaturated solution has less than this maximum and can still dissolve more solute, while a supersaturated solution temporarily holds more dissolved solute than the usual limit but is unstable and can precipitate when disturbed.