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 14.11.)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the solubility of NaCl in water at 25 °C from Figure 14.11. This figure typically shows the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in 100 g of water at a given temperature.
2. Compare the given amount of NaCl (25 g) to the solubility value obtained from the figure for 25 °C.
3. If the given amount of NaCl is less than the solubility value, the solution is unsaturated.
4. If the given amount of NaCl is equal to the solubility value, the solution is saturated.
5. If the given amount of NaCl is greater than the solubility value, the solution is supersaturated.

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, solubility is typically around 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. Identifying whether a solution is saturated is crucial for classifying it as unsaturated or supersaturated.

Supersaturated Solution

A supersaturated solution contains more solute than can typically dissolve at a given temperature, achieved by heating the solution and then cooling it carefully. This state is unstable, and any disturbance can cause the excess solute to crystallize out. Recognizing this concept is important for understanding the behavior of solutions under different conditions.