Question

Water can hold 36 grams (g) of salt in every 100 milliliters (mL). The ocean contains 3.6 g of salt in every 100 mL. As a solution, which is seawater? A. resaturated B. supersaturated C. saturated D. unsaturated

Answer 1

The answer is: D. Unsaturated

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement "Water can hold 36 grams (g) of salt in every 100 milliliters (mL)" means that 36 grams is the maximum quantity of salt that the water can dissolve, so, this is the saturation point. As the ocean contains 3.6 g of salt in the same amount of water (100 mL), the seawater as a solution is unsaturated, because it has less amount of salt that water can dissolve.

Answer 2

From the statement "water can hold 36 grams (g) of salt in every 100 milliliters (mL)", we can solve for the solubility of salt in water.

Solubility = 36g / 100mL = 0.36 g / mL

The ocean contains 3.6 g of salt in every 100 mL or 0.036 g / mL. Therefore, it unsaturated. There is less salt in the water which means it can dissolve more until the concentration would be 0.36 g/mL.