In a similar fashion, the process of dissolving of a solute in a solvent may reach an equilibrium system.

If enough sugar is added to water (contained in a jar), some of the sugar will remain undissolved. The system has formed a saturated solution. This visual observation apparently indicates that a static state has been reached in which there is no change in the amount of undissolved sugar.

This perception of unchanging status obscures the "behind the scenes" changes. Sugar continues to dissolve at a steady rate, but that rate is matched exactly by sugar crystallizing.

Suppose the temperature is raised 5 °C. The amount of sugar remaining on the bottom will change in response to this change.

If there is still some sugar left undissolved, and the temperature is maintained at the new, higher level, the condition describing undissolved sugar in water will once again become static (unchanging) The rates of dissolving and crystallizing both will have increased to the point of nullifying one another. The solution has again become saturated, although at a different concentration.