Final answer:
A solution with solute settled at the bottom without decreasing in size is saturated. Producing large amounts of crystals when more solute is added indicates a supersaturated state. A solution that can take more solute without temperature change is unsaturated.
Step-by-step explanation:
To classify each solution as unsaturated, saturated, or supersaturated:
- A solution where additional solute settles to the bottom without decreasing in size is a saturated solution. This indicates that the solution has reached its capacity to dissolve solute at the given temperature.
- A solution that produces large amounts of crystals upon adding more solute is a supersaturated solution. This solution contains more solute than it can normally hold at a certain temperature and is unstable; adding more solute initiates precipitation.
- A solution that can dissolve additional solute without changing temperature is an unsaturated solution. It has not reached the maximum solute capacity and can still dissolve more solute.
Knowing whether a solution is saturated or unsaturated is crucial in understanding solubility. A saturated solution contains the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve, while an unsaturated solution has not reached that limit and can dissolve more solute. Supersaturated solutions have dissolved solute beyond the equilibrium solubility at a particular temperature and thus are unlikely to remain stable.