Solubility, saturation and supersaturation
A saturation limit is an equilibrium property under specified conditions, not a synonym for concentration.
Key knowledge
Solubility specifies an equilibrium dissolved composition for a solute, solvent and relevant phase at stated conditions. Relative to that limit, an unsaturated solution contains less solute, a saturated solution is at the limit, and a supersaturated solution contains more and is outside stable equilibrium with the relevant solute phase. Supersaturation can persist until nucleation or another pathway permits separation. A concentrated solution can be unsaturated, and a dilute solution can be saturated.
Conditions and scope
- State temperature, pressure, solvent and solute phase; solubility changes with these conditions.
- A saturation comparison is not a prediction of nucleation time. Solubility and the rate of dissolution are different quantities.
Sources · 2
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Equilibrium solubility and the unsaturated, saturated and nonequilibrium supersaturated categories.
2026-10-10 · Independent Mathematics and Information editor (AI editorial/source review; not the Chemistry/Biology/Earth author). The specified introductory inventory has no unresolved demonstrated material gap after the changes and body-based reuse. Existing advanced references retain their historical scoped approvals. English-only reference prose and explicit Lithuanian-translation-pending status are preserved.
Foundational review
2026-10-10 · Independent AI editorial inspection of this new compact reference entry, its equations, applicability, sources and knowledge connections.
Sources from other places
Scope or convention differs
Saturated versus unsaturated solutions at stated temperature and pressure.
The equilibrium limit differs from dissolution speed and nucleation time.
NCERT
- Chemistry XII: Solutions IndiaEnglish
§1.1, printed pp1–2: solution, solute and solvent; §1.3.1, printed pp5–6: dissolution and saturation equilibrium; §1.5.2, printed p14: azeotropic composition
- Chemistry XII: Solutions
Entry details
Permanent link to this entry ↗- Record identity
- foundation-chem-saturation-solubility
- Revision
- foundations-audit.1
- Structured reference record
- Foundational core completion