In: Chemistry
You are given a clear solution of KNO3. Using 3 – 4 sentences (in your own words) explain how you would determine if the solution is unsaturated, saturated or supersaturated.
An unsaturated solution is a solution which has not exceeded its capacity to dissolve maximum amount of solute,a saturated solution has dissolved the maximum quantity of solution and a supersaturated solution has more solute dissolved than it could take.
To tell them apart, we will have to add some solute (in this case KNO3) :
If the extra KNO3 dissolves, the solution was unsaturated.
If the extra KNO3 falls to the bottom, this means that it couldn't dissolve because the solution is saturated.
If more CRYSTALS of KNO3 form than that is added, the solution was supersaturated. That's because the addition of solute caused the excess dissolved KNO3 to CRYSTALLIZE.