A Saturated solution is where the solvent has dissolved as much solute as possible at a specific temperature. When a solution is saturated, the solvent particles can no longer form bonds with the solute particles unless you add heat. Adding heat to a saturated solution changes things... When solvent particles are heated, they can form more bonds with a solute than at a lower temperature. In other words, adding heat increases a solutes solubility in a solvent.
A Supersaturated solution is when you take a saturated solution and cool it down. When a supersaturated solution is cooled, the solvent particles release the bonds it made with the solute and start to 'kick out' the solute. At this point, solute particles will start to reappear. This is the opposite of dissolving.
A Supersaturated solution is when you take a saturated solution and cool it down. When a supersaturated solution is cooled, the solvent particles release the bonds it made with the solute and start to 'kick out' the solute. At this point, solute particles will start to reappear. This is the opposite of dissolving.
Below is a video on how to make your own edible sugar crystals!
If you try this at home, you MUST have a parent supervise and help with the hot sugar water. When that much sugar is added to water, it increases the boiling temperature of water and this makes the boiling sugar water not just supersaturated, but also super hot!!!!
Here's another cool video that we could try in class even though we probably don't want to see another snowflake for at least 6 months!