A beaker contains a solution. A single solute crystal is added to the solution. Immediately, crystals form in the solution. Which term best describes the solution before the crystal was added?

A supersaturated solution contains more dissolved solute than it can normally hold at that temperature. Adding a small crystal can trigger the excess solute to crystallize out, which matches what happened. An unsaturated solution could dissolve more solute, while a saturated solution is already at its usual limit.

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