saturated solution

Maximum solute concentration

A saturated solution is a liquid that has dissolved the maximum amount of a substance it can hold at a given temperature.

Adding more of the solute won't dissolve—it will settle to the bottom or float.

The sugar stopped dissolving once the water became a saturated solution.

Heating typically allows more solute to dissolve; cooling a saturated solution may cause crystals to form.

chemistry

supersaturation

Exceeding dissolution equilibrium limits

precipitateHeadlong and reckless
crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
soluteSubstance absorbed by solvent

aqueous · concentrated · dilute · molarity · ionic · seed crystal · miscible · immiscible · solvation · undissolved

equilibrium

dynamic equilibrium

Balance through opposing changes

reversibleAble to be undone
steady stateUnchanging system condition
stabilityResistance to displacement

balance · precipitation · concentration gradient · shift · reestablishment

applications

rock candy

Crystalline sugar confection

recrystallizationPurification through dissolving and reforming
purificationRemoval of contaminants
brineWater saturated with sodium

pickling · sugar syrup · candy making

capacity

maximum

Greatest permitted quantity

thresholdPoint of beginning
limitMaximum allowed extent
excessSurplus beyond need

surplus · critical point · tipping point · at capacity

Categories

Chemical Equilibriumchemical equilibrium, dynamic equilibrium, buffer, Kb, conjugate acid
matter statessolid, liquid state, plasma, vapor, gaseous
solutionsanswer, fix, remedy, cure, formula

Opposites

solute concentration

saturated solutiondistilled water

Liquid stripped of minerals

dissolving capacity

saturated solutionsolvent

Dissolving liquid or financially stable

Family

saturate, saturated, unsaturated, saturation, saturating, saturates, solution, solutions, solving

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G