In the context of dissolution, what is meant by 'saturated'?

In the context of dissolution, 'saturated' refers to a solution in which the maximum amount of solute has been dissolved at a given temperature and pressure. This means that when a solution is saturated, the concentration of the solute is at its peak, and any additional solute added will not dissolve but instead remain undissolved, leading to an equilibrium between the dissolved and undissolved solute.

This concept is critical in understanding solubility and the conditions under which substances dissolve in solvents. A saturated solution demonstrates the dynamic equilibrium where the rate of dissolution of the solute equals the rate at which the solute is crystallizing out of the solution. Thus, option C accurately describes the condition of saturation in a solution, making it the correct choice.

In contrast, other options present different scenarios. Reaching a maximum temperature is related to how temperature affects solubility, rather than defining saturation. The phrase about all solute crystallizing pertains to conditions where supersaturation or crystallization occurs, which is distinct from a saturated solution. Lastly, mentioning only a small amount of solute is the opposite of saturation, as it implies that the solution can still dissolve more solute. This reinforces the definition of saturation as having reached the limit