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Ch.13 - Solutions
Chapter 13, Problem 42

A solution contains 32 g of KNO3 per 100.0 g of water at 25 °C. Is the solution unsaturated, saturated, or supersaturated? (Use Figure 13.11.)

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Solubility

Solubility is the maximum amount of a solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature. For KNO3 in water at 25 °C, solubility is a critical factor in determining whether a solution is unsaturated, saturated, or supersaturated. Understanding solubility helps predict how much solute can be dissolved before reaching a limit.
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Saturated Solution

A saturated solution is one in which the maximum amount of solute has been dissolved in the solvent at a given temperature. At this point, any additional solute will not dissolve and will remain as a solid. Identifying whether a solution is saturated involves comparing the amount of solute present to the solubility limit at the specified temperature.
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Supersaturation

Supersaturation occurs when a solution contains more solute than it can theoretically hold at a given temperature, often achieved by heating the solution and then cooling it slowly. This state is unstable, and any disturbance can cause the excess solute to precipitate out. Recognizing supersaturation is essential for understanding the behavior of solutions under varying conditions.
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