What characterizes a saturated solution?

A saturated solution is characterized by having reached the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature. This means that any further addition of solute will not result in more solute dissolving; instead, it will remain undissolved in the mixture. This concept is essential in understanding solubility, as it defines the limit of how much solute can interact with the solvent effectively.

In contrast, a solution containing only solid solute does not define saturation, as saturation is specifically about the amount of solute that has dissolved. Additionally, a saturated solution cannot dissolve more solute at any temperature; it may only change its capacity to hold solute with temperature variations. Lastly, the rate at which a solution evaporates does not determine its saturation status; evaporation is a separate property of a solution. Thus, option C is the clear definition that encapsulates what a saturated solution truly is.