A beaker contains an aqueous solution of sodium acetate (NaC2H3O2) of unknown concentration. A few crystals of sodium acetate are added to the beaker. They sink to the bottom of the beaker and remain there unchanged even after further mixing. What can you conclude about the level of saturation of the solution?

A) The solution is supersaturated.

B) The solution is saturated.

C) The solution is unsaturated.

D) It is not possible to determine the level of saturation because you do not know the concentration of the solution.

Answer: Option (B) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

A saturated solution is defined as a solution which contains maximum amount of solute. This means that when further no more solute is able to dissolve into the solvent then the solution is saturated in nature.

Whereas when small amount of solute is added to a solvent and if it readily dissolves then this type of solution is known as an unsaturated solution.

Since, in the given situation an aqueous solution of sodium acetate is present in a beaker of unknown concentration. As it is known that just a salt is present, and no information about its solubility is given.

Then on adding a few crystals of sodium acetate they do not mix into the solvent. This means that these crystals are no more soluble. Hence, the solution is saturated.

Since, no more slat can be present in the solution. Hence, the level of saturation of the solution is that it is saturated.

Thus, we can conclude that the solution is saturated.