Table of Contents
What is a Solution?
Supersaturated Solution – Crystallization: A solution is a mixture of two or more substances. The substances can be either liquids or solids. The term solution is also used to describe a state of mind in which a person has found a way to cope with a difficult situation.
What is a Supersaturated Solution?
A supersaturated solution is a solution that contains more solute than it can dissolve at a given temperature. In order to form a supersaturated solution, the solute must in a form that can be dissolved, such as a solid, liquid, or gas. For example, sugar can dissolved in water to form a supersaturated solution. If more sugar is added to the solution, the sugar will start to precipitate out of the solution and form crystals.
Supersaturation in Phase Change (Crystallization and Condensation)
When a solution heated, the molecules of the solvent become more energetic and move about more freely. This increased energy can cause the solvent molecules to break away from the solute molecules and form vapor (gas) bubbles.
The vapor bubbles become more numerous and larger as the solution heated more. Eventually, the vapor bubbles become so large that they break away from the solution and form a gas layer on the surface of the liquid known as boiling.
The vapor layer contains many vapor bubbles, and each bubble contains a large number of solvent molecules. The vapor bubbles are very small, and the vapor layer is very thin.
When the liquid cooled, the vapor bubbles become smaller and the vapor layer becomes thicker. Eventually, the vapor bubbles become so small that they merge and form a liquid droplet on the surface of the liquid. This is called condensation.
The liquid droplet contains many solvent molecules. The liquid droplet is very large, and the liquid layer is very thick.
Applications of Supersaturated Solution
There are a few applications of supersaturated solutions. In some cases, a supersaturated solution can used to dissolve a solid more quickly. For example, a supersaturated salt solution can used to clean clogged drains. In other cases, a supersaturated solution can used to form a solid. For example, a supersaturated sugar solution can used to form rock candy.
Supersaturated Solution Examples
A supersaturated solution is a type of solution that contains more solute than it could possibly hold at that given temperature. This occurs when the solute is in a state of equilibrium with the solvent. Supersaturated solutions can be unstable, and if disturbed, the excess solute can precipitate out of the solution.
There are a few different ways to create a supersaturated solution. One way is to dissolve the solute in a solvent at a higher temperature than the solvent’s boiling point. When the solution cooled, the solute will remain in a supersaturated state. Another way to create a supersaturated solution is to dissolve the solute in a solvent and then add more solvent. This will also create a supersaturated solution, as long as the solute is in equilibrium with the new solvent.
Some common supersaturated solutions include saturated salt solutions, sugar solutions, and ethanol solutions.
Way to achieve a Supersaturated Solution?
To achieve a supersaturated solution, you must first dissolve as much of the solute as possible in the solvent at room temperature. You can then place the solution in a closed container and place it in a warm area. The increase in temperature will cause the solvent to evaporate, leaving the solute behind in a supersaturated solution.
