Humber Admissions Practice Test

What defines a saturated solution?

1. A solution that can dissolve additional solute

2. A solution that contains no solute

3. A solution that cannot dissolve any more solute under the given conditions

4. A solution with an equimolar concentration of solute and solvent

The correct answer is: A solution that cannot dissolve any more solute under the given conditions

A saturated solution is defined as one that has dissolved the maximum amount of solute possible at a specific temperature and pressure. This means that under the existing conditions, the solution cannot take on any more solute, as it has reached equilibrium. Any additional solute added will not dissolve and may settle at the bottom or remain undissolved in the solution. This concept is critical in chemistry because the degree of saturation will change with temperature and pressure. For instance, heating a saturated solution might allow more solute to dissolve, making it unsaturated until it reaches a new saturation point. Understanding this foundation helps in grasping broader chemical principles and applications. The other options do not capture the essential characteristics of a saturated solution as precisely. For instance, a solution that can dissolve additional solute does not reflect saturation, while the presence or absence of solute itself does not define saturation either. An equimolar concentration of solute and solvent is also not a defining characteristic of saturation, as saturation pertains more to the solute's capacity to dissolve rather than the specific ratio between solute and solvent.