Saturation is a term applied in many different fields to a state in which a further increase in a variable above a critical value produces no increase in a resultant effect.

 

A saturated solution is one which will dissolve no more solute, and equilibrium having been reached; raising the temperature usually allows more to dissolve: cooling a saturated solution may produce supersaturation, a metastable state, in which sudden crystallization depositing the excess solute occurs if a seed crystal is added.

 

In organic chemistry, a saturated compound is one in which the molecules have no double or triple bonds, and therefore does not undergo addition reactions.

 

See also condensation.