What does it mean for a solution to be saturated at a given temperature?

What does it mean for a solution to be saturated at a given temperature?

• A. It contains no solute dissolved.
• B. It contains as much solute as can dissolve at that temperature.
• C. It dissolves all solute regardless of amount.
• D. It has more solvent than solute.

Answer: (B)

At a given temperature, a saturated solution contains as much solute as the solvent can hold at that temperature. The dissolved solute is in dynamic balance with undissolved solid, so the rates of dissolving and crystallizing are equal. If you add more solute, it won’t dissolve and will remain as solid. This isn’t about having no solute dissolved (that would be unsaturated), nor about dissolving all solute no matter how much is added (there's a limit defined by solubility), nor about having more solvent than solute as a defining feature (a saturated solution can have varying amounts of solvent; saturation is about the maximum dissolved amount).

At a given temperature, a saturated solution contains as much solute as the solvent can hold at that temperature. The dissolved solute is in dynamic balance with undissolved solid, so the rates of dissolving and crystallizing are equal. If you add more solute, it won’t dissolve and will remain as solid.

This isn’t about having no solute dissolved (that would be unsaturated), nor about dissolving all solute no matter how much is added (there's a limit defined by solubility), nor about having more solvent than solute as a defining feature (a saturated solution can have varying amounts of solvent; saturation is about the maximum dissolved amount).