Saturated Solution vs Unsaturated Solution: Difference and Comparison

The concentration or percentage of solute dissolved in the solution is considered to be at its highest level in a Saturated Solution at a certain temperature.

The concentration of solute dissolved in the unsaturated solution is less than the maximum at a certain temperature.

Key Takeaways

1. A saturated solution contains the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a given solvent at a specific temperature. In contrast, an unsaturated solution can dissolve more solute under the same conditions.
2. Saturated solutions are in equilibrium, with the solute dissolving and precipitating at the same rate, while unsaturated solutions can continue to dissolve the solute until reaching saturation.
3. The solubility of a solute in a solvent determines the point at which a solution becomes saturated or remains unsaturated.

Saturated Solution vs Unsaturated Solution

Saturated solutions contain the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved in a solvent at a specific temperature. Unsaturated solutions have less than the maximum amount. As a result, saturated solutions are in a state of equilibrium where no more solutes can dissolve.

In the case of a Saturated Solution, the concentration or percentage of solute dissolved in the solution is at its highest level at a certain temperature.

In a saturated solution, the solvent, liquid, or fluid cannot dissolve any additional solute at a given temperature. To add more solute to a saturated solution, the temperature of the solution must be raised.

Precipitate remains at the bottom of a saturated solution. As the temperature rises, the level of saturation falls.

The concentration or percentage of solute dissolved in the unsaturated solution is less than the maximum at a certain temperature.

Unsaturated Solution occurs when a fluid, liquid, or solvent can dissolve more solute at a given temperature. To add more solute to an Unsaturated Solution, the temperature of the solution does not need to be raised.

The majority of the time, there is no precipitate at the bottom of an Unsaturated Solution.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Saturated Solution	Unsaturated Solution
To add solute	The temperature needs to be raised	Temperature need not be raised
With increasing temperature	Saturation decreases	Unsaturation increases
Example	Seawater	Vinegar
Precipitation	Remains	Does not remain
Concentration	Maximum	Less than maximum

What is Saturated Solution?

In the event of a saturated solution, the temperature of the solution must be raised to add more solute. The majority of the time, precipitate remains at the bottom of a saturated solution.

When the temperature rises, the level of saturation falls.

In the event of a saturated solution, the solvent, liquid, or fluid cannot dissolve any more solute at a given temperature. Seawater is an example of a saturated solution found in nature.

A saturated solution is a form of a solution in which no more solute can be dissolved at a given temperature.

In the case of a Saturated Solution, the concentration or amount of solute dissolved in the solution is considered to be at its maximum level at a certain temperature.

What is Unsaturated Solution?

Unsaturated Solution occurs when a fluid, liquid, or solvent can dissolve a greater amount of solute at a given temperature.

To add more solute to an unsaturated solution, the temperature of the solution does not need to be raised.

The majority of the time, no precipitate remains at the bottom of an Unsaturated Solution. An unsaturated solution is a form of a solution in which there is room for the extra solute to be added during the dissolution process.

The concentration or amount of solute dissolved in the unsaturated solution is less than the maximum at a given temperature.

When the temperature rises, the level of unsaturation rises with it. Vinegar is an example of an unsaturated solution.

Main Differences Between Saturated Solution and Unsaturated Solution

1. A saturated solution is a type of solution in which there is no scope left for the dissolution of any more quantity of solute at a given temperature. On the other hand, Unsaturated Solution is a type of solution in which there is a scope left for the addition of more quantity of solute for the dissolution process.
2. At a specific temperature, in the case of a Saturated Solution, the concentration or the percentage of solute dissolved in the solution is considered to be at its maximum level. On the other hand, at a specific temperature, the concentration or the percentage of solute dissolved in the unsaturated solution is less than the maximum.
3. In the case of Saturated solution, at a specific temperature, the solvent, liquid, or fluid does not possess the potential to dissolve more quantity of solute. On the other hand, in the case of Unsaturated Solution, at a particular temperature, the fluid, liquid, or solvent possesses the potential to dissolve more amount of solute.
4. In the case of Saturated solution, to add more amount of solute, the temperature of the solution needs to be increased. On the other hand, in the case of Unsaturated Solution, to add more amount of solute, the temperature of the solution need not be raised.
5. The majority of times, at the end of the bottom of a Saturated solution, precipitate remains. On the other hand, the Majority of times at the bottom of an Unsaturated Solution, no such thing as precipitate remains.
6. The level of saturation decreases when the temperature is increased. On the other hand, the level of Unsaturation increases when the temperature increases.
7. An example of a Saturated solution occurring naturally in nature is Seawater. On the other hand, the example of an Unsaturated Solution is Vinegar.

References

1. https://aiche.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aic.690290420
2. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.cgd.1c00822

Last Updated : 22 July, 2023