If a solution is described as unsaturated, what can you infer?

When a solution is described as unsaturated, it means that the solution has not reached its maximum capacity for dissolving solute. Therefore, it can still accommodate additional solute without any precipitate forming or the solution becoming saturated. This characteristic is key in understanding the behavior of solutes in solvents, especially in contexts such as crystallization or solution preparation.

The ability of an unsaturated solution to dissolve more solute is determined by factors like temperature and pressure, which can change the saturation point. This concept is crucial in various applications, including chemical reactions, where the concentration of reactants may need to be altered by adding more solute to drive the reaction forward.

In contrast, a saturated solution is one in which the maximum amount of solute has been dissolved, and any additional solute would remain undissolved. An unsaturated solution therefore, by definition, has the potential to dissolve more solute, making the option stating this characteristic the most appropriate choice.