Which solution contains the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved at the current temperature?

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Study for the ATI TEAS 7 Science Test. Prepare with expert-crafted questions and detailed explanations. Get ahead in your exam!

A saturated solution is defined as a solution in which the maximum amount of solute has been dissolved in a solvent at a specific temperature. At this point, the solution is in equilibrium, meaning that any additional solute will not dissolve and may even precipitate out of the solution. This characteristic distinguishes a saturated solution from unsaturated and supersaturated solutions.

An unsaturated solution contains less solute than can be dissolved at the given temperature, meaning more solute can still be added and dissolved. A supersaturated solution, on the other hand, contains more solute than is typically soluble at that temperature, having been created under specific conditions, such as cooling a saturated solution carefully. A concentrated solution refers generally to a solution with a high amount of solute, but it doesn't necessarily indicate that it is at its saturation point. Thus, the best choice to describe a solution containing the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved at the current temperature is indeed a saturated solution.