Additional solute is added to a saturated solution of a solid and a liquid after being heated above room temperature. Once no mo
re of the solute can dissolve, the solution is cooled, and a seed crystal is added. At which of the following points is the solution unsaturated? a. Before the solution is heated, when the concentration of the solute is equal to its solubility in the liquid b. After the solution is heated, but before additional solute is added c. After the solution is heated and more solute is added, but before it is cooled d. Before the solution is heated, when the concentration of the solute is less than its solubility in the liquid
After the solution is heated, but before additional solute is added
Explanation:
An unsaturated solution is a solution that contains less solute than it can normally hold at a given temperature. Hence an unsaturated solution can still dissolve more solute.
When the solution is heated, the saturated cold solution becomes an unsaturated hot solution which is capable of dissolving more solute at this point.
Once more solute is dissolved, the solution becomes saturated again just before it begins to cool since no more solute dissolves in the solution at some point before cooling and addition of seed crystals.
