Final answer:
Solubility is the ability of a solute to dissolve in a solvent. Temperature, agitation, and surface area affect solubility. A saturated solution can become supersaturated if the solute exceeds its equilibrium solubility at room temperature. Heating up a sugar-water solution decreases its ability to dissolve more sugar, while pounding salt cubes into tiny fragments increases the rate of dissolution. Stirring slows down the rate of dissolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of solubility summarizes the ability of a solute to dissolve in a solvent. There are several factors that affect solubility, such as temperature and agitation of the solution. When a saturated solution is placed in room temperature, it can become supersaturated if the solute exceeds its equilibrium solubility. Heating up a sugar-water solution will decrease its ability to dissolve more sugar because increased temperature decreases solubility. Pounding salt cubes into tiny fragments, increasing the surface area, will increase the rate of dissolution. Stirring, on the other hand, slows down the rate of dissolution because it disrupts the equilibrium between the solute and solvent.