To determine the description of the solution created by dissolving 40 grams of HCl in 100 grams of water at 40 degrees Celsius, we need to consider the solubility of HCl in water at that temperature.
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is highly soluble in water, and at 40 degrees Celsius, it can dissolve significantly more than 40 grams in 100 grams of water. Therefore, since we have successfully dissolved 40 grams of HCl without reaching the limit of its solubility at that temperature, it indicates that the solution is not saturated.
We can eliminate the following options:
- A: HCl will not dissolve in water. This is incorrect because HCl readily dissolves in water.
- B: Saturated. A saturated solution has reached its maximum capacity for solute; this is not the case here.
- C: Supersaturated. A supersaturated solution contains more solute than it can normally hold at a given temperature and pressure, which is also not applicable in this scenario.
Given the above points, the correct description of the solution is:
- D: Unsaturated. An unsaturated solution means that more solute could potentially be dissolved at the given conditions.