What does the term 'saturated solution' refer to?

The term 'saturated solution' specifically refers to a solution that cannot dissolve any more solute at a given temperature. This occurs when the maximum amount of solute has already been dissolved in the solvent, resulting in an equilibrium where the rate of dissolution of the solute is equal to the rate at which the solute is precipitating out of the solution.

In a saturated solution, the dissolved solute remains in balance with any undissolved solute that may be present. Any additional solute added would not dissolve but rather remain as a solid. This concept is essential in understanding how solubility works in different solvents and conditions, and it plays a crucial role in various fields, including chemistry, biology, and environmental science.

The other options do not accurately describe a saturated solution: a solution that can dissolve more solute indicates it is unsaturated, having equal concentrations of solute and solvent is not a standard definition of saturation, and a solution in solid form implies that it has crystallized rather than remaining in a liquid state as a saturated solution.