Supersaturation in chemicalsolutions is when a solution contains more of asolute than can be dissolved in it. This usually makes some of the solute separate itself from the solution.

• Rain happens in a supersaturated solution of water in air.
• Carbonated water is a supersaturated solution ofcarbon dioxide gas inwater. It is stored at very highpressure in abottle. This lets the water dissolve more carbon dioxide gas than it can at normal pressure. When the bottle is opened, the pressure falls to the normalatmospheric pressure, and the carbon dioxide gas escapes slowly. Certain things such as small bubbles in the bottle can make this process faster. Such bubbles can be caused by shaking the bottle. Another solute such assugarpowder or awidget can also trigger precipitation.

• ADiet Coke and Mentos eruption is an extreme example. Some drinks such asales andstouts rely on this effect to produce the 'head' on the surface of the poured product.

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