What is meant by the term saturated?

1 Answer
Oct 5, 2016

You mean #"saturated"# with respect to #"solutions"#?

Explanation:

With respect to #"solutions"#, a #"saturated solution"# is a solution that has the same concentration it would have if it were in equilibrium with undissolved solute. In other words #"saturation"# defines an #"equilibrium property"#, and a temperature is normally specified because a hot solution can (generally) dissolve more solute than a cold one.

See these answers for more context:

https://socratic.org/questions/how-do-you-make-saturated-solution-of-sodium-nitrate

https://socratic.org/questions/proper-defination-of-unsaturated-soln

https://socratic.org/questions/a-teacher-makes-a-saturated-solution-of-potassium-chlorate-in-100g-of-50-c-water

I just thought that you might mean saturated and unsaturated with respect to carbon atoms. That is a whole other story.