Question

The solubility of sodium chloride at 25oC in water is 35 g / 100 g water. What term would be used to describe a solution at 25oC that contains 35g of NaCl in 100 g of water? The solubility of sodium chloride at 25oC in water is 35 g / 100 g water. What term would be used to describe a solution at 25oC that contains 38g of NaCl in 100 g of water? Supersatured or unsaturated

Answer 1

Let us first define few terms.

Saturated solution is a solution in which no more solvent can be dissolved. It is be understood that saturation of the solution has been achieved when any additional substance that is added results in a solid precipitate.

Supersaturated solution means it contains more of the dissolved material than could be dissolved by the solvent under normal conditions.

Unsaturated solution means more solute can be dissolved in the given solvent under normal conditions.

Here in this case it given that at 25^oC, 35g of NaCl can be dissolved in 100g of water (condition for a saturated solution)

Therefore a solution at 25^oC containing 35g of NaCl in 100 of water will be described as saturated.

When 38g of NaCl is added in same amount of water (i.e., 100g) at same temperature, the solution will be described as supersaturated.