What is the Difference Between Saturated and Supersaturated Solution?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between saturated and supersaturated solutions lies in the amount of dissolved solute they contain. Here are the key differences:
- Saturated Solution: A saturated solution contains the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved in a solvent at a given temperature. If more solute is added, it will not dissolve, and the solution will reach equilibrium with the solute particles.
- Supersaturated Solution: A supersaturated solution contains more dissolved solute than can be dissolved in a solvent at a given temperature. It has more undissolved solute than a saturated solution and tends to crystallize and precipitate.
To differentiate between these two types of solutions, you can look for the following indicators:
- Saturated solutions will have crystals remaining at the bottom of the container.
- Supersaturated solutions will have no crystals remaining at the bottom of the container.
To create a supersaturated solution, you can begin with a saturated solution and then add more solute, cooling it gently. In a supersaturated solution, some of the excess solute can remain undissolved, but if the solution is disturbed, the excess solute may crystallize.
Comparative Table: Saturated vs Supersaturated Solution
Here is a table comparing the differences between saturated and supersaturated solutions:
Feature | Saturated Solution | Supersaturated Solution |
---|---|---|
Amount of Solute | Maximum amount that can be dissolved in the solvent at a given temperature and pressure | More than the maximum amount that can be dissolved in the solvent at the same temperature |
Precipitation | Does not show precipitation at the bottom of the container | Shows precipitation at the bottom of the container if the physical conditions change |
Preparation | Prepared by evaporating a solvent from a solution until the solute reaches its maximum solubility | Prepared by adding the solute in excess at a high temperature and then cooling the solution |
Solubility | Contains the maximum concentration of a solute in a solvent | Contains more dissolved solute than could ordinarily dissolve in the solvent under the same conditions |
A saturated solution has the maximum amount of solutes that can be dissolved in a solvent at a given temperature and pressure, while a supersaturated solution contains more than the maximum amount of solutes that can be dissolved in the solvent at the same temperature.
- Saturated vs Unsaturated Solutions
- Saturated vs Concentrated Solution
- Dilute vs Unsaturated Solution
- Saturated Vapor vs Superheated Vapor
- Saturated vs Unsaturated
- Saturated Liquid vs Compressed Liquid
- Saturated vs Unsaturated Bonds
- Liquid vs Solution
- Solvent vs Solute
- Solution vs Solvent
- Saturated vs Unsaturated Fats
- Saturated vs Unsaturated Triglycerides
- Supernatant vs Precipitate
- Solution vs Suspension
- Saturated vs Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
- Molar Solution vs Normal Solution
- Saturated vs Unsaturated Acylglycerol
- Primary vs Secondary Standard Solution
- Saturated vs Unsaturated Polyester Resin