Question

To determine the solubility of a solute in water, a solution must be prepared that is _____.
A. Saturated
B. Unsaturated
C. Concentrated
D. Supersaturated

Answer 1

Hint:The solubility of a substance (solute) is the maximum amount of a solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a certain temperature. So first we are defining what saturated, unsaturated, concentrated and supersaturated solutions are. The definition, from these, which matches the definition of solubility, will be our answer.

Complete answer:We are given to find how a solution must be prepared to determine the solubility of a solute in water.
Solubility is a property which tells the ability of a substance (solute) to dissolve in a solvent.
Saturated solution is a solution where the maximum possible amount of solute is dissolved in the solvent. The resulting solution will have a little bit of solute left in it as the solute will be added more than the dissolving amount. For example, 10 grams of Salt is readily soluble in water but we added 15 grams of salt in the water. So an amount of 5 grams of salt will be left undissolved forming a saturated solution.
Unsaturated solution is a solution where a solute is taken less than the maximum possible amount and is dissolved in a solvent. So the solute readily dissolves in the solvent as the amount is less. An example for an unsaturated solution is a spoon of sugar in water.
A concentrated solution has a large amount of solute dissolved in it relative to the amount that can actually dissolve.
A supersaturated solution is a solution where the solute is taken more than it is taken in a saturated solution, more than the maximum possible amount.
So as we can see, a saturated solution matches the definition of solubility as only the maximum possible amount of solute is taken.

Therefore, the correct option is Option A.

Note: Unsaturated solution forms a homogeneous mixture whereas saturated and supersaturated solutions form heterogeneous mixtures as the solute will not be completely dissolved. A concentrated solution is a supersaturated solution where the solute is made to dissolve in the solvent by increasing temperature.