Describe what happens as a saturated solution of salt water at 60 celcius is cooled to 20 celcius.?

Answer 1

Mmmm... Salt....

You will get a super-saturated solution. Like the sugar they use to make rock candy, salt dissolves better in hot water. Saturated means it has as much solute (salt, in your question) in it as will possibly dissolve, so a saturated solution at 60 degrees celsius has quite a lot of salt in it!

As the saturated solution goes back to normal temperatures, it eventually reaches the point where there is MORE salt in solution than would normally dissolve. This is called a super-saturated solution. It still looks like it did before, except saltier than normally possible.

Several things can happen to a super-saturated solution as it cools. Either it appears unchanged, or crystals start to grow like when you are making rock candy. You would see crystals around the edges and on the sides and bottom of the container. Some substances like sodium nitrate are so soluable that they can crystalize all at once when disturbed, which looks like the solution instantly froze solid. Table salt does not normally do this, so just write that it would go from saturated to super-saturated and crystals would form.

Answer 2

While Acraz is generally correct...the solubility of salt doesn't change very much as it is heated. The amount is neglegible