Solubility supersaturated solution |
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| A solution is said to be supersaturated when more solute is dissolved than in a saturated solution. If a solid crystal of the solute is placed in the supersaturated solution it will increase in size as solute particles precipitate onto the crystal. |
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Solute particles precipitate out of solution and the rate at which particles leave the crystal is significantly lower than the rate at which solute particles stick to the crystal. Solute particles will continue to precipitate until a saturated solution is achieved. |
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| A supersaturated solution can be prepared by carefully cooling a saturated solution so that crystallisation (precipitation) does not occur. | |
