Be able to identify the following:

Solute
Solvent
Solution
Saturated
Unsaturated
Supersaturated

1 answer

Sure! Here's a brief explanation of each of the terms you mentioned:

  1. Solute: The solute is the substance that is dissolved in a solution. It is typically present in a smaller amount compared to the solvent. For example, in a saltwater solution, salt is the solute.

  2. Solvent: The solvent is the substance that dissolves the solute. It is usually present in a larger amount. In the case of saltwater, water is the solvent.

  3. Solution: A solution is a homogeneous mixture formed when a solute is dissolved in a solvent. It has the same composition throughout. An example is sugar dissolved in water, forming a sugar solution.

  4. Saturated: A solution is said to be saturated when it has dissolved the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved at a given temperature and pressure. Any additional solute will remain undissolved in the solution.

  5. Unsaturated: An unsaturated solution is one that can still dissolve more solute at a given temperature and pressure. This means that the amount of solute present is less than the maximum amount that can be dissolved.

  6. Supersaturated: A supersaturated solution contains more dissolved solute than the maximum amount that can normally be dissolved at a specific temperature and pressure. This state is unstable, and the excess solute can precipitate out of the solution if disturbed or if conditions change (e.g., cooling the solution).

These terms are fundamental in the study of solutions in chemistry and are important for understanding how different substances interact in solution.