A solution contains 25 g of NaCl per 100.0 g of water at 25 °C. Is the solution unsaturated, saturated, or supersaturated? (Use Figure 13.11.)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Determine the solubility of NaCl in water at 25 °C from Figure 13.11 or a similar reference, which provides the maximum amount of NaCl that can dissolve in 100 g of water at this temperature.
2. Calculate the concentration of NaCl in the given solution by dividing the mass of NaCl by the mass of water and then multiplying by 100 to convert it to a percentage.
3. Compare the calculated concentration of NaCl in the solution to the solubility value obtained from the reference. If the concentration is less than the solubility, the solution is unsaturated. If it equals the solubility, it is saturated. If it exceeds the solubility, it is supersaturated.
4. Identify the type of solution based on the comparison: unsaturated if the solution can still dissolve more NaCl, saturated if it's at the maximum capacity without precipitation, or supersaturated if it contains more dissolved NaCl than it should theoretically hold at that temperature.
5. Conclude whether the solution is unsaturated, saturated, or supersaturated based on the analysis.

Key Concepts

Solubility

Solubility is the maximum amount of a solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature. For NaCl in water at 25 °C, the solubility is approximately 36 g per 100 g of water. Understanding solubility helps determine whether a solution can hold more solute or if it has reached its limit.

Saturated Solution

A saturated solution is one in which the maximum amount of solute has been dissolved in the solvent at a given temperature. Any additional solute added will not dissolve and will remain as a solid. In this case, knowing the solubility of NaCl at 25 °C is crucial to classify the solution correctly.

Types of Solutions

Solutions can be classified as unsaturated, saturated, or supersaturated based on the amount of solute relative to its solubility. An unsaturated solution contains less solute than the solubility limit, while a supersaturated solution contains more solute than it can normally hold, often achieved through specific conditions. Identifying the type of solution is essential for understanding its properties and behavior.