How is sodium acetate supersaturated?

A supersaturated solution of sodium acetate trihydrate (the clear solution) will recrystallize by the addition of a single crystal of the solid. A supersaturated solution is a solution which contains a greater amount of dissolved substance than is present in a saturated solution at the same temperature.

How do you make a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate?

The supersaturated solution is prepared by placing 175 g of sodium acetate trihydrate and 50 mL of distilled water (3.5 g NaC2H3O2. 3H2O per mL H2O) in the 500 mL Erlenmeyer flask, heating the mixture in the water bath and swirling occasionally until a clear homogeneous solution is obtained.

Is sodium acetate a hazard?

Potential Health Effects Ingestion: In large doses may produce abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Skin Contact: It may cause irritation with redness and pain. Eye Contact: Sodium acetate anhydrous contact may cause irritation, redness, and pain. Carcinogenic Effects: Not a reported carcinogen.

How is a supersaturated solution made?

A supersaturated solution contains more dissolved solute than required for preparing a saturated solution and can be prepared by heating a saturated solution, adding more solute, and then cooling it gently. Excess dissolved solute crystallizes by seeding supersaturated solution with a few crystals of the solute.

What does it mean when a solution is supersaturated?

A supersaturated solution is a solution that contains more than the maximum amount of solute that is capable of being dissolved at a given temperature. The recrystallization of the excess dissolved solute in a supersaturated solution can be initiated by the addition of a tiny crystal of solute, called a seed crystal.

How does a solution become supersaturated?

A solution of a chemical compound in a liquid will become supersaturated when the temperature of the saturated solution is changed. In most cases solubility decreases with decreasing temperature; in such cases the excess of solute will rapidly separate from the solution as crystals or an amorphous powder.

What are the listed hazards for sodium acetate?

Eye: May cause mild eye irritation.

  • Skin: May cause skin irritation. May be harmful if absorbed through the skin.
  • Ingestion: May cause irritation of the digestive tract. May be harmful if swallowed.
  • Inhalation: May cause respiratory tract irritation. May be harmful if inhaled.
  • Chronic: No information found.

    • Is acetate harmful to humans?

    * Ethyl Acetate can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Ethyl Acetate can irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat. * Exposure to high levels can cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and to pass out. * Repeated contact can cause drying and cracking of the skin.

    Why does crystallization occur in a supersaturated solution?

    Because that supersaturated solution holds more solute than is stable at the lower temperature, crystals start to form. As a result, some of the solute comes out of solution when crystals form.

    What happens to a supersaturated solution if it is disturbed?

    A supersaturated solution holds more dissolved solute than the amount in a saturated solution. These solutions are unstable and will crystallize from solution when disturbed.

    What happens during supersaturation?

    Gas supersaturation occurs when the total dissolved gases in a body of water exceed the concentration of total gases that can be dissolved under normal circumstances given the temperature, dissolved solids, and gas pressure above the water (usually determined by altitude).