If a saturated solution at a given temperature has more solute added, what happens?

If a saturated solution at a given temperature has more solute added, what happens?

• A. It will dissolve completely.
• B. It will dissolve more solute as temperature rises.
• C. It will not dissolve any more solute at that temperature.
• D. It will convert to a gas.

Answer: (C)

At a given temperature, a saturated solution contains as much dissolved solute as the solvent can hold. If you add more solute, it won’t dissolve because the solution has reached its limit. The excess solute remains as a solid, often settling to the bottom as a precipitate, while the dissolved portion stays in dynamic balance with the solid. Only by changing conditions—typically increasing the temperature, which changes how much solute the solvent can hold—can more solute dissolve.

At a given temperature, a saturated solution contains as much dissolved solute as the solvent can hold. If you add more solute, it won’t dissolve because the solution has reached its limit. The excess solute remains as a solid, often settling to the bottom as a precipitate, while the dissolved portion stays in dynamic balance with the solid. Only by changing conditions—typically increasing the temperature, which changes how much solute the solvent can hold—can more solute dissolve.