What characterizes a saturated solution?

A saturated solution is one that has reached its maximum capacity for solute dissolution at a specific temperature and pressure. At this point, the solvent can no longer dissolve additional amounts of the solute without some of it precipitating out of the solution. This concept is crucial in understanding how solutions behave and how solubility varies with temperature.

For example, in a saturated saltwater solution, if you keep adding salt after a certain point, the excess salt will no longer dissolve and will instead settle at the bottom. This indicates that the solution is saturated at that temperature because it cannot hold any more solute in the dissolved state.

Other options do not accurately represent the nature of a saturated solution. A solution containing no solute at all does not qualify as saturated, as saturation inherently involves solute presence. Additionally, while a solution can be at its boiling point, saturation is not dependent on temperature alone. Lastly, having a fixed volume of solvent does not define saturation; what matters is the relationship between the amount of solute and the solvent at a given temperature.