Chemistry / Unit 8 Chem 1533 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Saturated, Unsaturated, and Supersaturated Solutions
Captions available
The idea
A solution is saturated at its solubility limit, unsaturated below it, and supersaturated above it in an unstable, nonequilibrium state.
In practice
A hand warmer's sodium acetate solution stays supersaturated until disturbed, then rapidly precipitates the excess and releases heat.
Where people slip
A supersaturated solution is not at equilibrium and can be disturbed into sudden precipitation of its excess solute.
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