Describe a solution of KCL (potassium chloride) that has 25g of KCL and a temperature of 50 degrees Celcius.

unsaturated

supersaturated

saturated

1 answer

To determine whether a solution of potassium chloride (KCl) with 25g of KCl at a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius is unsaturated, saturated, or supersaturated, we need to consider the solubility of KCl in water at that temperature.

At 50 degrees Celsius, the solubility of KCl in water is approximately 45.8 grams per 100 milliliters. If we dissolve 25 grams of KCl in enough water, we can analyze the category:

  1. Saturated Solution: A solution where the maximum amount of solute has been dissolved at a given temperature. For KCl at 50 degrees Celsius, this would be near 45.8 grams in 100 mL of water.

  2. Unsaturated Solution: A solution that contains less solute than can be dissolved at a given temperature. For example, if we only had, say, 20 grams of KCl, it would be unsaturated.

  3. Supersaturated Solution: A solution that contains more solute than is possible to dissolve at a given temperature, usually achieved by dissolving the solute at high temperatures and then cooling the solution without letting the solute crystallize out.

Since 25 grams of KCl is less than the solubility limit (45.8 grams) at 50 degrees Celsius, it means that the solution does not contain the maximum possible amount of solute. Thus, the solution can be classified as:

Unsaturated

If more KCl were added, up to approximately 45.8 grams, it would eventually become saturated. If more than that amount is added and remains dissolved somehow (usually under special conditions), it could become supersaturated. But since only 25g is present, it is unsaturated at 50 degrees Celsius.