supersaturaattinen

Supersaturaattinen refers to a state where a solution contains more dissolved solute than it would typically hold at equilibrium at a given temperature and pressure. This condition is achieved by carefully dissolving a substance and then cooling the solution without disturbing it, or by allowing the solvent to evaporate slowly. A supersaturated solution is inherently unstable. Any disturbance, such as adding a small crystal of the solute (known as a seed crystal), introducing dust particles, or vigorous agitation, can trigger the excess solute to rapidly crystallize out of the solution until it reaches a saturated state. This process of crystallization can be quite dramatic and fast. Supersaturated solutions have practical applications in various fields, including the formation of crystals in geology, the production of candies like rock candy, and in some laboratory experiments requiring controlled crystallization. The phenomenon is a consequence of the kinetics of crystallization being slower than the rate at which solute can dissolve under certain conditions.