What is supersaturation?

Supersaturation refers to a state in which a solution contains more of a dissolved material than it can hold under normal conditions. This occurs when the solution is cooled down or evaporated rapidly, causing the solute to exceed its solubility limit.

Supersaturation is a fairly unstable state, and the excess solute is usually precipitated out of the solution as crystals. This process is known as nucleation, and it can be triggered by the introduction of a seed crystal or a disturbance in the solution.

Supersaturation is commonly used in various industrial processes, such as the production of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food products. It can also be used in the purification of substances through techniques such as fractional crystallization.

Overall, supersaturation is a key concept in chemistry and material science, with important implications for a wide range of applications.