Übersättigung
Übersättigung is a German term that translates to supersaturation in English. It describes a state where a solution contains more solute than it can dissolve at a given temperature and pressure. This state is unstable and can be disturbed by various factors, leading to the precipitation of the excess solute.
Supersaturation occurs when a saturated solution is cooled or when the solvent evaporates. For instance, if
The excess solute in a supersaturated solution is highly prone to crystallization. Even a small disturbance,
This phenomenon has practical applications. For example, it is utilized in the formation of rock candy, where