Saturated, Unsaturated, and Supersaturated Solutions

Indicate the amount of solute that will dissolve in 100 mL (100 g) of water at different temperatures.

A solution where the dissolved substance is in a state of equilibrium with the undissolved substance.

False. Adding more solute to a saturated solution results in the excess solute remaining undissolved.

Contains less solute than a saturated solution under the same conditions; it has the capacity to dissolve more solute.

True. An unsaturated solution has the ability to dissolve additional solute until it reaches saturation.

Contains more solute than a saturated solution under the same conditions; this is a non-equilibrium state.

False. A supersaturated solution already contains more solute than it should theoretically hold at that temperature.

By making a saturated solution at a higher temperature, where more solute can dissolve, and then slowly cooling it down. The solute remains dissolved even at the lower temperature.