What is the definition for super saturated solution?

Answer 1

Saturation is divided into 3 groups:

Saturated.

Unsaturated.

Supersaturated.

Supersaturated is when there is too much solute in the solvent so the excess solute just falls to the bottom of the beaker/flask/cup.

Answer 2

A solution which has reached saturation at a higher temperature is supersaturated.

Solution containing more solute that the slovent would oringinally dissolve, usually done by heating up the solution.

or

A solution containing more solute than should be possible

Answer 3

A supersaturated solution is created by heating the solution up to get more solute to dissove in and then letting it slowly cool down. Absent anything to kick off the precipitation, you can get a situation where more solute is dissolved than the solution would normally be capable of holding. It is past its saturation point and so is called supersaturated.

Answer 4

A solution that is super saturated has more solute than can be dissolved under normal conditions. Such solutions are generally difficult to make because the solute quickly forms crystals. If the solution and the container are particularly clean, there is no surface (substrate) upon which a crystal can form. It is as if it forgets how to make a crystal.

I have, personally, never had much success with making a super saturated sugar solution but some other compounds are really easy. Sodium acetate is particularly easy. As the solution cools to room temperature, sprinkle some sodium acetate powder on the surface and it almost immediately solidifies...and gets cold. Scratching the side or bottom of the beaker with a steel probe or stirring rod can also trigger the crystal formation because it makes the glass rough creating a good substrate.

Answer 5

Almost every chemical that dissolves (solute) in a solution eventually reaches a proportion of solute to solvent where no more material will dissolve. The extra just falls to the bottom. This is saturated solution.

However if you "play tricks" on the saturated solution. For example cooling it gently so the solution is holding more solute at the lower temperature than it should. The solution is said to be supersaturated.

This is usually a unstable condition. A tap on the container or the introduction of a dust mote or particle of the solute, will result in the precipitation of the excess solute from the solution.

Answer 6

a supersaturated solution is more saturated from a saturated solution

Answer 7

a solution that contains more of the dissolved material than could be dissolved by the solvent under normal circumstances. (Wikipedia)

Answer 8

A supersaturated solution is one that contains more of a solute than would be present at equilibrium under the conditions of temperature and pressure prevailing in the solution.