<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Predicting precipitation

The equation that describes the equilibrium between solid calcium carbonate and its solvated ions is:

CaCO 3 ( s ) Ca 2+ ( a q ) + CO 3 2− ( a q )

We can establish this equilibrium either by adding solid calcium carbonate to water or by mixing a solution that contains calcium ions with a solution that contains carbonate ions. If we add calcium carbonate to water, the solid will dissolve until the concentrations are such that the value of the reaction quotient ( Q = [ Ca 2 + ] [ CO 3 2− ] ) is equal to the solubility product ( K sp = 8.7 × 10 –9 ). If we mix a solution of calcium nitrate, which contains Ca 2+ ions, with a solution of sodium carbonate, which contains CO 3 2− ions, the slightly soluble ionic solid CaCO 3 will precipitate, provided that the concentrations of Ca 2+ and CO 3 2− ions are such that Q is greater than K sp for the mixture. The reaction shifts to the left and the concentrations of the ions are reduced by formation of the solid until the value of Q equals K sp . A saturated solution in equilibrium with the undissolved solid will result. If the concentrations are such that Q is less than K sp , then the solution is not saturated and no precipitate will form.

We can compare numerical values of Q with K sp to predict whether precipitation will occur, as [link] shows. (Note: Since all forms of equilibrium constants are temperature dependent, we will assume a room temperature environment going forward in this chapter unless a different temperature value is explicitly specified.)

Precipitation of mg(oh) 2

The first step in the preparation of magnesium metal is the precipitation of Mg(OH) 2 from sea water by the addition of lime, Ca(OH) 2 , a readily available inexpensive source of OH ion:

Mg(OH) 2 ( s ) Mg 2+ ( a q ) + 2OH ( a q ) K sp = 8.9 × 10 12

The concentration of Mg 2+ ( aq ) in sea water is 0.0537 M . Will Mg(OH) 2 precipitate when enough Ca(OH) 2 is added to give a [OH ] of 0.0010 M ?

Solution

This problem asks whether the reaction:

Mg(OH) 2 ( s ) Mg 2+ ( a q ) + 2OH ( a q )

shifts to the left and forms solid Mg(OH) 2 when [Mg 2+ ] = 0.0537 M and [OH ] = 0.0010 M . The reaction shifts to the left if Q is greater than K sp . Calculation of the reaction quotient under these conditions is shown here:

Q = [ Mg 2+ ] [ OH ] 2 = (0.0537)( 0.0010) 2 = 5.4 × 10 8

Because Q is greater than K sp ( Q = 5.4 × 10 –8 is larger than K sp = 8.9 × 10 –12 ), we can expect the reaction to shift to the left and form solid magnesium hydroxide. Mg(OH) 2 ( s ) forms until the concentrations of magnesium ion and hydroxide ion are reduced sufficiently so that the value of Q is equal to K sp .

Check your learning

Use the solubility product in Appendix J to determine whether CaHPO 4 will precipitate from a solution with [Ca 2+ ] = 0.0001 M and [ HPO 4 2− ] = 0.001 M .

Answer:

No precipitation of CaHPO 4 ; Q = 1 × 10 –7 , which is less than K sp

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Precipitation of agcl upon mixing solutions

Does silver chloride precipitate when equal volumes of a 2.0 × 10 –4 - M solution of AgNO 3 and a 2.0 × 10 –4 - M solution of NaCl are mixed?

(Note: The solution also contains Na + and NO 3 ions, but when referring to solubility rules, one can see that sodium nitrate is very soluble and cannot form a precipitate.)

Solution

The equation for the equilibrium between solid silver chloride, silver ion, and chloride ion is:

AgCl ( s ) Ag + ( a q ) + Cl ( a q )

The solubility product is 1.6 × 10 –10 (see Appendix J ).

AgCl will precipitate if the reaction quotient calculated from the concentrations in the mixture of AgNO 3 and NaCl is greater than K sp . The volume doubles when we mix equal volumes of AgNO 3 and NaCl solutions, so each concentration is reduced to half its initial value. Consequently, immediately upon mixing, [Ag + ] and [Cl ] are both equal to:

1 2 ( 2.0 × 10 4 ) M = 1.0 × 10 4 M

The reaction quotient, Q , is momentarily greater than K sp for AgCl, so a supersaturated solution is formed:

Q = [ Ag + ] [ Cl ] = (1.0 × 10 4 ) ( 1.0 × 10 4 ) = 1.0 × 10 8 > K sp

Since supersaturated solutions are unstable, AgCl will precipitate from the mixture until the solution returns to equilibrium, with Q equal to K sp .

Check your learning

Will KClO 4 precipitate when 20 mL of a 0.050- M solution of K + is added to 80 mL of a 0.50- M solution of ClO 4 ? (Remember to calculate the new concentration of each ion after mixing the solutions before plugging into the reaction quotient expression.)

Answer:

No, Q = 4.0 × 10 –3 , which is less than K sp = 1.05 × 10 –2

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

what does preconceived mean
sammie Reply
physiological Psychology
Nwosu Reply
How can I develope my cognitive domain
Amanyire Reply
why is communication effective
Dakolo Reply
Communication is effective because it allows individuals to share ideas, thoughts, and information with others.
effective communication can lead to improved outcomes in various settings, including personal relationships, business environments, and educational settings. By communicating effectively, individuals can negotiate effectively, solve problems collaboratively, and work towards common goals.
it starts up serve and return practice/assessments.it helps find voice talking therapy also assessments through relaxed conversation.
miss
Every time someone flushes a toilet in the apartment building, the person begins to jumb back automatically after hearing the flush, before the water temperature changes. Identify the types of learning, if it is classical conditioning identify the NS, UCS, CS and CR. If it is operant conditioning, identify the type of consequence positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement or punishment
Wekolamo Reply
please i need answer
Wekolamo
because it helps many people around the world to understand how to interact with other people and understand them well, for example at work (job).
Manix Reply
Agreed 👍 There are many parts of our brains and behaviors, we really need to get to know. Blessings for everyone and happy Sunday!
ARC
A child is a member of community not society elucidate ?
JESSY Reply
Isn't practices worldwide, be it psychology, be it science. isn't much just a false belief of control over something the mind cannot truly comprehend?
Simon Reply
compare and contrast skinner's perspective on personality development on freud
namakula Reply
Skinner skipped the whole unconscious phenomenon and rather emphasized on classical conditioning
war
explain how nature and nurture affect the development and later the productivity of an individual.
Amesalu Reply
nature is an hereditary factor while nurture is an environmental factor which constitute an individual personality. so if an individual's parent has a deviant behavior and was also brought up in an deviant environment, observation of the behavior and the inborn trait we make the individual deviant.
Samuel
I am taking this course because I am hoping that I could somehow learn more about my chosen field of interest and due to the fact that being a PsyD really ignites my passion as an individual the more I hope to learn about developing and literally explore the complexity of my critical thinking skills
Zyryn Reply
good👍
Jonathan
and having a good philosophy of the world is like a sandwich and a peanut butter 👍
Jonathan
generally amnesi how long yrs memory loss
Kelu Reply
interpersonal relationships
Abdulfatai Reply
What would be the best educational aid(s) for gifted kids/savants?
Heidi Reply
treat them normal, if they want help then give them. that will make everyone happy
Saurabh
What are the treatment for autism?
Magret Reply
hello. autism is a umbrella term. autistic kids have different disorder overlapping. for example. a kid may show symptoms of ADHD and also learning disabilities. before treatment please make sure the kid doesn't have physical disabilities like hearing..vision..speech problem. sometimes these
Jharna
continue.. sometimes due to these physical problems..the diagnosis may be misdiagnosed. treatment for autism. well it depends on the severity. since autistic kids have problems in communicating and adopting to the environment.. it's best to expose the child in situations where the child
Jharna
child interact with other kids under doc supervision. play therapy. speech therapy. Engaging in different activities that activate most parts of the brain.. like drawing..painting. matching color board game. string and beads game. the more you interact with the child the more effective
Jharna
results you'll get.. please consult a therapist to know what suits best on your child. and last as a parent. I know sometimes it's overwhelming to guide a special kid. but trust the process and be strong and patient as a parent.
Jharna
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 4

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Chemistry. OpenStax CNX. May 20, 2015 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11760/1.9
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Chemistry' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask