Q. 9.23 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

State whether each of the following refers to a saturated or an unsaturated solution:

a. A crystal added to a solution does not change in size.

b. A sugar cube completely dissolves when added to a cup of coffee.

c. A uric acid concentration of $4.6 mg/100 mL$ in the kidney does not cause gout.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(part a) The size of a crystal added to a solution remains constant. Then, the solution is Saturated.

(part b) A sugar cube completely dissolves when added to a cup of coffee. Therefore, the solution is unsaturated.

(part c) A uric acid concentration of $4.6 mg/100 mL$in the kidney does not cause gout and hence the reaction is unsaturated.

Step1: Introduction (part a).

An unsaturated solution is one that does not contain the same amount of solute but readily disperses more salt solution when added to the solvent.

A saturated sample containing the concentration of a substance but it does not disband any additional solute at the specified temperature.

When a crystal is introduced into a solution, its size remains constant.

Step2: Given Information (part a).

Given:

Adding a crystal to the solution has no effect on its size because it is saturated and contains the saturated solution.

Step 3: Explanation (part a).

When a sugar cube is added to a cup of coffee, it completely dissolves.

Step4: Given Information (part b).

Given:

When a sugar cube is added to a cup of coffee, it totally dissolves because of solution is unsaturated as well as freely melts more solute.

Step5: Explanation (part b).

Gout is just not characterized by the accumulation of uric acid in the kidney.

Step6: Given Information (part c).

Given:

A uric acid concentration of $4.6 mg/100 mL$ in the kidney does not cause gout.

Step7: Explanation (part c).

At ${37}^{\circ }C,$ the dissolution rate of uric acid in plasma proteins is $7 mg/100 mL.$ As an outcome, a uric acid density in the kidney of $4.6 mg/ 100 mL$ makes reference to an unsaturated solution but does not cause gout.