Saturation Point

Definition

The saturation point is the stage at which, under given conditions, a substance cannot absorb or dissolve any more of another substance.

Analogy

Think of the saturation point as a sponge that can't soak up any more water. No matter how much more water you pour on it, it won't be able to hold any more.

Related terms

Solvent: A substance that dissolves a solute (a chemically different liquid, solid or gas), resulting in a solution. Like the water you're trying to soak into the sponge.

Solute: A substance dissolved in another substance. Like the dirt particles in your water that get trapped in the sponge's pores.

Supersaturation: A state of a solution that contains more of the dissolved material than could be dissolved by the solvent under normal circumstances. It's like squeezing extra water into your already soaked sponge by applying pressure.