A solution in which the maximum amount of solute has been dissolved at a given temperature.

A solution in which the maximum amount of solute has been dissolved at a given temperature.

• A. Saturated solution
• B. Supersaturated solution
• C. Unsaturated solution
• D. Dilute Solution

Answer: (A)

At a specific temperature, there is a limit to how much solute can dissolve in a solvent. When that limit is reached, the solution contains the maximum amount of dissolved solute for that temperature, and any extra solute remains undissolved. This is what we mean by a saturated solution. If you had less than that maximum amount, it’s still able to dissolve more solute, so the solution would be unsaturated. If you somehow have more dissolved solute than the usual limit for that temperature, you’d have a supersaturated solution, which is usually unstable. A dilute solution simply has relatively little solute compared with the solvent and isn’t necessarily at the dissolution limit.

At a specific temperature, there is a limit to how much solute can dissolve in a solvent. When that limit is reached, the solution contains the maximum amount of dissolved solute for that temperature, and any extra solute remains undissolved. This is what we mean by a saturated solution.

If you had less than that maximum amount, it’s still able to dissolve more solute, so the solution would be unsaturated. If you somehow have more dissolved solute than the usual limit for that temperature, you’d have a supersaturated solution, which is usually unstable. A dilute solution simply has relatively little solute compared with the solvent and isn’t necessarily at the dissolution limit.