Question

`"What happens when a solution becomes saturated?"`

Answer 1

`"What happens when a solution becomes saturated....??"`

Explanation:

See this old answer and enclosed links....

And should you have to answer this question, you MUST declare specifically that the solution contains the SAME amount of solute that would be in EQUILIBRIUM with undissolved solute....i.e. saturation describes an equilibrium condition.....such that...

`"Dissolved solute"rightleftharpoons"Undissolved solute"`

And a temperature is usually specified inasmuch as a hot solvent can solvate, i.e. dissolve, more solute than can a cold one (and that sounds like a beer commercial).

And should you ADD more solute to this solution....the undissolved solute (which after all as a solid does not participate in the equilibrium), simply sinks to the bottom of the flask.

And of course, `"a supersaturated solution"` describes a solution that contains an amount of solute GREATER than the amount of solute that would be in equilibrium with undissolved solute. You must simply know these definitions......being able to trot them out verbatim will save you a lot of angst in an exam.