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Supersaturation
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Look up <i>supersaturation</i> in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. <p>In <a href="/facts/Physical_chemistry/WqwnJjRM">physical chemistry</a>, supersaturation occurs with a <a href="/facts/Solution_(chemistry)/MGchhMQV">solution</a> when the concentration of a <a href="/facts/Solute/MGchhMQV">solute</a> exceeds the <a href="/facts/Concentration/wqBmz5od">concentration</a> specified by the value of <a href="/facts/Solubility/kLE9h3Jb">solubility</a> at <a href="/facts/Solubility_equilibrium/MNBoGyJb">equilibrium</a>. Most commonly the term is applied to a solution of a <a href="/facts/Solid/hj5UsXno">solid</a> in a <a href="/facts/Liquid/t9GkLWzt">liquid</a>, but it can also be applied to liquids and <a href="/facts/Gas/hVVAoodV">gases</a> dissolved in a liquid. A supersaturated solution is in a <a href="/facts/Metastable/H72SMWof">metastable</a> state; it may return to equilibrium by <a href="/facts/Separation_process/8Ie5Lv5Y">separation</a> of the excess of solute from the solution, by dilution of the solution by adding solvent, or by increasing the solubility of the solute in the solvent. </p>