A solution that has dissolved so much solute, that no more will dissolve.

A solution that has dissolved so much solute, that no more will dissolve.

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

Answer: (D)

At a fixed temperature, there is a limit to how much solute can dissolve in a solvent. When dissolution reaches that limit, the solution cannot take in any more solute—the dissolved amount is the maximum for those conditions. That state is a saturated solution, where any extra solute tends to stay undissolved or precipitate out. A concentrated solution just means there is a lot of solute relative to solvent, but it doesn’t necessarily indicate that no more will dissolve. A dilute solution has little solute and can still dissolve more. A supersaturated solution contains more dissolved solute than normally possible at that temperature, which is unstable and can crystallize suddenly. So the description “dissolved so much solute that no more will dissolve” points to a saturated solution.

At a fixed temperature, there is a limit to how much solute can dissolve in a solvent. When dissolution reaches that limit, the solution cannot take in any more solute—the dissolved amount is the maximum for those conditions. That state is a saturated solution, where any extra solute tends to stay undissolved or precipitate out. A concentrated solution just means there is a lot of solute relative to solvent, but it doesn’t necessarily indicate that no more will dissolve. A dilute solution has little solute and can still dissolve more. A supersaturated solution contains more dissolved solute than normally possible at that temperature, which is unstable and can crystallize suddenly. So the description “dissolved so much solute that no more will dissolve” points to a saturated solution.