In a saturated solution, what happens to added solute at equilibrium?

In a saturated solution, the solvent has already dissolved the maximum amount of solute that it can hold at a given temperature and pressure. When additional solute is added to this saturated solution, it doesn't dissolve because the solution has reached its saturation point. Instead, it remains undissolved.

This phenomenon occurs due to the dynamic equilibrium established between the dissolved solute molecules and the solid solute. In this state, the rate of dissolution of solid solute into the solution matches the rate of precipitation of solute from the solution back to the solid state. Thus, any added solute does not affect the concentration of the dissolved solute, remaining as undissolved particles in the solution.

Understanding this behavior is crucial in chemistry, particularly when studying solubility, equilibrium, and the properties of solutions.