Szupertelítettség

Szupertelítettség is a Hungarian term that translates roughly to "super-saturation" or "over-saturation" and refers to a phenomenon in chemistry and physics where a solution contains more dissolved solute than it can normally hold at a given temperature and pressure. This state is metastable, meaning it is thermodynamically unstable but can persist for a period of time.

Szupertelítettség is typically achieved by carefully dissolving a solute into a solvent, often at an elevated temperature. The solution is then cooled slowly and without disturbance. If crystals or other nucleation sites are absent, the excess solute remains dissolved. External stimuli, such as shaking the container, introducing a seed crystal, or even a sudden change in temperature, can trigger rapid crystallization of the excess solute, bringing the solution back to its equilibrium saturated state.

This phenomenon has practical applications. For instance, it is utilized in the preparation of supersaturated solutions for recrystallization, a common purification technique in chemistry. It is also relevant in understanding processes like the formation of salt crystals from evaporating water or the development of mineral deposits. The stability of a supersaturated solution is influenced by factors such as the nature of the solute and solvent, the presence of impurities, and the degree of supersaturation.