Mättnadsnivån

Mättnadsnivån, often translated as saturation level, refers to the degree to which a substance or system is holding or absorbing another substance. In chemistry, it commonly describes the extent to which a solvent can dissolve a solute. When a solvent reaches its mättnadsnivån for a particular solute, it cannot dissolve any more of that solute under given conditions of temperature and pressure. Any additional solute introduced will typically remain undissolved.

This concept is crucial in various scientific and industrial processes. For example, in the preparation of solutions, understanding the mättnadsnivån helps determine the maximum concentration achievable. In environmental science, it can be relevant when discussing the capacity of water bodies to absorb pollutants or the absorption of moisture by materials. In everyday life, it can be observed when adding sugar to tea; at some point, the sugar will no longer dissolve and will settle at the bottom.

The mättnadsnivån is not a fixed value but depends on factors such as temperature, pressure, and the specific chemical properties of the solute and solvent. For most solids dissolved in liquids, increasing the temperature increases the mättnadsnivån, meaning more solute can be dissolved. Conversely, for gases dissolved in liquids, increasing the temperature typically decreases the mättnadsnivån.