Question

solute crystals are added to a solution until they begin to sink to the bottom of their container. the solution is then heated and many more solute crystals dissolve. which term best describes the solution immediately after it was heated?

• saturated
• unsaturated
• concentrated
• supersaturated

Explanation:

A saturated solution has the maximum amount of solute dissolved at a given temperature. When more solute crystals dissolve upon heating, it means the solution can now hold more solute than it did initially at the lower temperature. An unsaturated solution can dissolve more solute without any special treatment like heating. A concentrated solution just has a high - amount of solute relative to solvent but doesn't necessarily relate to the saturation point. A supersaturated solution is formed when a solution that is saturated at a higher temperature is cooled slowly without the solute precipitating out. Since heating allowed more solute to dissolve, the solution is unsaturated after heating as it can hold more solute.

Answer:

unsaturated