Solute crystals are added to a solution until they begin to sink to the bottom. The solution is heated until more solute dissolves. It is then carefully cooled back to its original temperature without disturbing it. Which term best describes the solution after it cools?

At the original temperature, the solution was saturated because added crystals began to sink, showing that no more solute would dissolve. Heating allowed more solute to dissolve; then cooling without disturbance left more dissolved solute than normally fits at that temperature. That unstable condition is called a supersaturated solution.

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