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A super saturated solution is unstable, and wants to precipitate some solute to regain a stable situation. Dissolve something in water at a high temperature in a perfectly clean glass container, until no more dissolves. Cool slowly and the solution becomes unstable because it holds more in solution than is normal at equilibrium at that lower temperature. It is super saturated. A tiny speck of dust or even agitation can provide conditions where the excess can precipitate out as a solid particles in suspension, until the equilibrium concentration of solution is reached, but with clouds of precipitate in there.
A super saturated solution is unstable, and wants to precipitate some solute to regain a stable situation. Dissolve something in water at a high temperature in a perfectly clean glass container, until no more dissolves. Cool slowly and the solution becomes unstable because it holds more in solution than is normal at equilibrium at that lower temperature. It is super saturated. A tiny speck of dust or even agitation can provide conditions where the excess can precipitate out as a solid particles in suspension, until the equilibrium concentration of solution is reached, but with clouds of precipitate in there.
If a solution has more solute than it can hold, it is called supersaturated. This means that the solution is unstable and may precipitate out excess solute if disturbed.
A solution that has the maximum amount of solute dissolved at that temperature is known as a saturated solution.However it is possible to prepare a super saturated solution by heating the solution slightly, dissolving the maximum amount of solute and then carefully cooling the solution. Generally the super saturated solution is unstable and the excess solute will precipitate out if given the energy to do so.A common super saturated solution is a sugar solution. Sugar is added to water and the solution is heated and then carefully cooled. The solution can form a glass like solid called "toffee" rather than crystals of sugar.
A supersaturated solution is unstable because it contains more solute than would normally be possible under equilibrium conditions. Any disturbance could cause the excess solute to crystallize out of the solution to restore equilibrium.
The solution is said to be saturated when it contains the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in the solvent at a given temperature. If there is so much solute that no more will dissolve, the solution is supersaturated. This occurs when additional solute is added beyond the saturation point, leading to a temporary unstable state before the excess solute eventually precipitates out.
A solution that contains more dissolved material than its solubility can hold is called a supersaturated solution. It is temporarily stable but can become unstable and result in the excess solute precipitating out of the solution.
Almost every chemical that dissolves (solute) in a solution eventually reaches a proportion of solute to solvent where no more material will dissolve. The extra just falls to the bottom. This is saturated solution. However if you "play tricks" on the saturated solution. For example cooling it gently so the solution is holding more solute at the lower temperature than it should. The solution is said to be supersaturated. This is usually a unstable condition. A tap on the container or the introduction of a dust mote or particle of the solute, will result in the precipitation of the excess solute from the solution.
Any number after the solution has reached the point of saturation. It may be possible to dissolve a few more teaspoons of sugar but the super-saturated solution so formed will be unstable.
Almost every chemical that dissolves (solute) in a solution eventually reaches a proportion of solute to solvent where no more material will dissolve. The extra just falls to the bottom. This is saturated solution. However if you "play tricks" on the saturated solution. For example cooling it gently so the solution is holding more solute at the lower temperature than it should. The solution is said to be supersaturated. This is usually a unstable condition. A tap on the container or the introduction of a dust mote or particle of the solute, will result in the precipitation of the excess solute from the solution.
unstable
Supersaturated. This occurs when a solution has more solute dissolved in it than can normally be dissolved at that temperature. Supersaturation is an unstable state and the excess solute will typically precipitate out if given the opportunity.