An unsaturated solution is a solution that can still dissolve more solute at a given temperature and pressure.
Key points:
- It contains less solute than the maximum amount the solvent can hold.
- Since it has not yet reached its dissolving limit, additional solute can dissolve without any problem.
- It is the most stable type of solution compared to saturated or supersaturated.
Example:
If you add one spoon of sugar to a glass of water and it dissolves completely, the solution is unsaturated because you can still add more sugar and it will continue to dissolve.
Comparison (simple):
- Unsaturated solution → can dissolve more solute.
- Saturated solution → cannot dissolve more solute at that condition.
- Supersaturated solution → contains more solute than normally possible and is unstable.