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What happens to the rates of solvation and crystallization at the saturation point?

A) The rates are equal.
B) The rates are unequal.
C) The rates switch from zero to equal.
D) The rates are zero.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

At the saturation point, the rates of solvation and crystallization are equal due to the dynamic equilibrium between dissolution and recrystallization processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

At the saturation point, the rates of solvation and crystallization are equal. This is because the solution has reached a dynamic equilibrium, where the process of solute particles dissolving into the solvent is balanced by the process of the solute particles recrystallizing out of the solution. At equilibrium, there is no net change in the amount of dissolved solute, as the rates of dissolution and recrystallization are occurring at the same rate. This can be represented in the dissolution process of a saturated solution, where a solute like sodium chloride dissolves to its constituent ions, Na+ and Cl-, and the reverse process of these ions rejoining to form solid salt happens simultaneously.

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