supersaturate

A scientist carefully supersaturates a solution in a beaker.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cause a solution to contain more dissolved substance than it can normally hold at a given temperature: In chemistry, "supersaturate" refers to creating an unstable solution where the solute concentration exceeds the equilibrium solubility limit.
   • To saturate excessively: More generally, to fill or supply something to an extreme or excessive degree beyond what is normal or sustainable.

Usage Examples

• Chemical context:

  • The chemist carefully heated and then cooled the solution to supersaturate it with sugar. (To make the solution hold more sugar than normally possible.)
  • If you supersaturate a saltwater solution, crystals may form when disturbed. (Creating an unstable solution that is prone to precipitation.)

• General context:

  • The market has become supersaturated with similar smartphone models. (The market is excessively filled with competing products.)
  • Her schedule was supersaturated with meetings, leaving no time for breaks. (Her schedule was overloaded beyond capacity.)

Advanced Usage

• "to supersaturate a market": to flood a commercial sector with an excessive number of products or services, often leading to decreased profitability.

  • The company's aggressive expansion threatened to supersaturate the local coffee shop market. (To fill the market beyond demand.)

• "to supersaturate a solution": a precise laboratory technique used in crystal growth or chemical analysis.

  • To grow large crystals, you must first supersaturate the solution and then seed it. (Create a solution with excess solute for controlled crystallization.)

Variants and Related Words

• Supersaturation (noun): the state or process of being supersaturated.

  • The supersaturation of the solution was achieved by rapid cooling. (The condition of holding excess solute.)

• Supersaturated (adjective): describing a solution or system that is in a state of supersaturation.

  • The supersaturated sugar solution formed a thick syrup. (The solution containing more sugar than normally possible.)

Synonyms

• Saturate: to fill completely so that no more can be absorbed.
• Overload: to load with an excessive amount.
• Flood: to fill or overwhelm with an abundance of something.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms

• "Reach a saturation point": to reach a limit beyond which no more can be added or absorbed.

  • The market has reached a saturation point for budget smartphones. (The market is so full that further additions are unprofitable.)

• "Too much of a good thing": an excessive amount of something that was initially beneficial becomes harmful.

  • Adding more sugar to the solution is too much of a good thing; it will just supersaturate and crystallize. (Excess leads to instability.)