15.1 Precipitation and Dissolution

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Write chemical equations and equilibrium expressions representing solubility equilibria
  • Carry out equilibrium computations involving solubility, equilibrium expressions, and solute concentrations

Solubility equilibria are established when the dissolution and precipitation of a solute species occur at equal rates. These equilibria underlie many natural and technological processes, ranging from tooth decay to water purification. An understanding of the factors affecting compound solubility is, therefore, essential to the effective management of these processes. This section applies previously introduced equilibrium concepts and tools to systems involving dissolution and precipitation.

The Solubility Product

Recall from the chapter on solutions that the solubility of a substance can vary from essentially zero (insoluble or sparingly soluble) to infinity (miscible). A solute with finite solubility can yield a saturated solution when it is added to a solvent in an amount exceeding its solubility, resulting in a heterogeneous mixture of the saturated solution and the excess, undissolved solute. For example, a saturated solution of silver chloride is one in which the equilibrium shown below has been established.

In this solution, an excess of solid AgCl dissolves and dissociates to produce aqueous Ag+ and Cl– ions at the same rate that these aqueous ions combine and precipitate to form solid AgCl ((Figure)). Because silver chloride is a sparingly soluble salt, the equilibrium concentration of its dissolved ions in the solution is relatively low.

 

Silver chloride is a sparingly soluble ionic solid. When it is added to water, it dissolves slightly and produces a mixture consisting of a very dilute solution of Ag+ and Cl– ions in equilibrium with undissolved silver chloride.

Two beakers are shown with a bidirectional arrow between them. Both beakers are just over half filled with a clear, colorless liquid. The beaker on the left shows a cubic structure composed of alternating green and slightly larger grey spheres. Evenly distributed in the region outside, 11 space filling models are shown. These are each composed of a central red sphere with two smaller white spheres attached in a bent arrangement. In the beaker on the right, the green and grey spheres are no longer connected in a cubic structure. Nine green spheres, 10 grey spheres, and 11 red and white molecules are evenly mixed and distributed throughout the liquid in the beaker.

The equilibrium constant for solubility equilibria such as this one is called the solubility product constant, Ksp, in this case

AgCl(s) ⇌ Ag+(aq) + Cl−(aq)          Ksp = [Ag+][Cl−]

Recall that only gases and solutes are represented in equilibrium constant expressions, so the Ksp does not include a term for the undissolved AgCl. A listing of solubility product constants for several sparingly soluble compounds is provided in Appendix J.

Writing Equations and Solubility Products

Write the dissolution equation and the solubility product expression for each of the following slightly soluble ionic compounds:

(a) AgI, silver iodide, a solid with antiseptic properties

(b) CaCO3, calcium carbonate, the active ingredient in many over-the-counter chewable antacids

(c) Mg(OH)2, magnesium hydroxide, the active ingredient in Milk of Magnesia

(d) Mg(NH4)PO4, magnesium ammonium phosphate, an essentially insoluble substance used in tests for magnesium

(e) Ca5(PO4)3OH, the mineral apatite, a source of phosphate for fertilizers

Solution:

(a) AgI(s) ⇌ Ag+(aq) + I−(aq)          Ksp = [Ag+][I−]

(b) CaCO3(s) ⇌ Ca2+(aq) + CO32−(aq)          Ksp =[Ca2+][CO32−]

(c) Mg(OH)2(s) ⇌ Mg2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq)          Ksp =[Mg2+][OH−]2

(d) Mg(NH4)PO4(s) ⇌ Mg2+(aq) + NH4+(aq) + PO43−(aq)          Ksp = [Mg2+][NH4+][PO43−]

(e) Ca5(PO4)3OH(s) ⇌ 5Ca2+(aq) + 3PO43−(aq) + OH−(aq)          Ksp =[Ca2+]5[PO43−]3[OH−]

 

Check Your Learning:

Write the dissolution equation and the solubility product for each of the following slightly soluble compounds:

(a) BaSO4

(b) Ag2SO4

(c) Al(OH)3

(d) Pb(OH)Cl

 

Answer:

(a) BaSO4(s) ⇌ Ba2+(aq) + SO42−(aq)          Ksp = [Ba2+][SO42−]

(b) Ag2SO4(s) ⇌ 2Ag+(aq) + SO42−(aq)          Ksp = [Ag+]2[SO42−]

(c) Al(OH)3(s) ⇌ Al3+(aq) + 3OH−(aq)          Ksp = [Al3+][OH−]3

(d) Pb(OH)Cl(s) ⇌ Pb2+(aq) + OH−(aq) + Cl−(aq)          Ksp = [Pb2+][OH−][Cl−]

Ksp and Solubility

The Ksp of a slightly soluble ionic compound may be simply related to its measured solubility provided the dissolution process involves only dissociation and solvation, for example:

MpXq(s) ⇌ pMm+(aq) + qXn−(aq)

For cases such as these, one may derive Ksp values from provided solubilities, or vice-versa. Calculations of this sort are most conveniently performed using a compound’s molar solubility, measured as moles of dissolved solute per liter of saturated solution.

 

Calculation of Ksp from Equilibrium Concentrations

Fluorite, CaF2, is a slightly soluble solid that dissolves according to the equation:

CaF2(s) ⇌ Ca2+(aq) + 2F−(aq)

The concentration of Ca2+ in a saturated solution of CaF2 is 2.15 × 10–4 M. What is the solubility product of fluorite?

Solution:

According to the stoichiometry of the dissolution equation:

[Ca2+] = 2.15 × 10-4 M

[F–] = 2(2.15 × 10-4 M) = 4.30 × 10-4 M

Substituting the ion concentrations into the Ksp expression gives

Ksp = [Ca2+][F−]2 = (2.15 × 10-4 M)(4.30 × 10-4 M)2 = 3.98 × 10-11

Check Your Learning:

In a saturated solution of Mg(OH)2, the concentration of Mg2+ is 1.31 × 10–4M. What is the solubility product for Mg(OH)2?

Mg(OH)2(s) ⇌ Mg2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq)
Answer:

8.99 × 10–12

Determination of Molar Solubility from Ksp

The Ksp of copper(I) bromide, CuBr, is 6.3 × 10–9. Calculate the molar solubility of copper bromide.

Solution:

The dissolution equation and solubility product expression are

CuBr(s) ⇌ Cu+(aq) + Br−(aq)
Ksp = [Cu+][Br−]

Following the ICE approach to this calculation yields the table

This table has two main columns and four rows. The first row for the first column does not have a heading and then has the following in the first column: Initial concentration ( M ), Change ( M ), and Equilibrium concentration ( M ). The second column has the header of, “C u B r equilibrium arrow C u superscript positive sign plus B r superscript negative sign.” Under the second column is a subgroup of three rows and three columns. The first column is blank. The second column has the following: 0, positive x, x. The third column has the following 0, positive x, x.

Substituting the equilibrium concentration terms into the solubility product expression and solving for x yields

Ksp = [Cu+][Br−]
6.3 × 10-9 = x2
x = 7.9 × 10-5 M

Since the dissolution stoichiometry shows one mole of copper(I) ion and one mole of bromide ion are produced for each mole of CuBr dissolved, the molar solubility of CuBr is 7.9 × 10–5 M.

Check Your Learning:

The Ksp of AgI is 1.5 ×  10–16. Calculate the molar solubility of silver iodide.

 

Answer:

1.2 × 10–8 M

Determination of Molar Solubility from Ksp

The Ksp of calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, is 1.3 × 10–6. Calculate the molar solubility of calcium hydroxide.

Solution:

The dissolution equation and solubility product expression are

Ca(OH)2(s) ⇌ Ca2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq)
Ksp = [Ca2+][OH−]2

The ICE table for this system is

This table has two main columns and four rows. The first row for the first column does not have a heading and then has the following in the first column: Initial concentration ( M ), Change ( M ), and Equilibrium concentration ( M ). The second column has the header of, “C a ( O H ) subscript 2 equilibrium arrow C a superscript 2 positive sign plus 2 O H superscript negative sign.” Under the second column is a subgroup of three rows and three columns. The first column is blank. The second column has the following: 0, positive x, x. The third column has the following 0, positive 2 x, 2 x.

Substituting terms for the equilibrium concentrations into the solubility product expression and solving for x gives

Ksp = [Ca2+][OH−]2
1.3 × 10-6 = (x)(2x)2= (x)(4x2) = 4x3

As defined in the ICE table, x is the molarity of calcium ion in the saturated solution. The dissolution stoichiometry shows a 1:1 relation between moles of calcium ion in solution and moles of compound dissolved, and so, the molar solubility of Ca(OH)2 is 6.9 × 10–3M.

Check Your Learning:

The Ksp of PbI2 is 1.4 × 10–8. Calculate the molar solubility of lead(II) iodide.

 

Answer:

1.5 × 10–3M

Determination of Ksp from Gram Solubility

Many of the pigments used by artists in oil-based paints ((Figure)) are sparingly soluble in water. For example, the solubility of the artist’s pigment chrome yellow, PbCrO4, is 4.6 × 10–6 g/L. Determine the solubility product for PbCrO4.

 

Oil paints contain pigments that are very slightly soluble in water. In addition to chrome yellow (PbCrO4), examples include Prussian blue (Fe7(CN)18), the reddish-orange color vermilion (HgS), and green color veridian (Cr2O3). (credit: Sonny Abesamis)

A photograph is shown of a portion of an oil painting which reveals colors of orange, brown, yellow, green, blue, and purple colors in its strokes. A few water droplets rest on the surface.

Solution:

Before calculating the solubility product, the provided solubility must be converted to molarity:

The dissolution equation for this compound is

PbCrO4(s) ⇌ Pb2+(aq) + CrO42−(aq)

The dissolution stoichiometry shows a 1:1 relation between the molar amounts of compound and its two ions, and so both [Pb2+] and [CrO42−] are equal to the molar solubility of PbCrO4:

[Pb2+] = [CrO42−] = 1.4 × 10-8 M

Ksp = [Pb2+][CrO42−] = (1.4 × 10–8 M)(1.4 × 10–8 M) = 2.0 × 10–16

Check Your Learning:

The solubility of TlCl [thallium(I) chloride], an intermediate formed when thallium is being isolated from ores, is 3.12 grams per liter at 20°C. What is its solubility product?

 

Answer:

2.08 × 10–4

Calculating the Solubility of Hg2Cl2

Calomel, Hg2Cl2, is a compound composed of the diatomic ion of mercury(I), Hg22+, and chloride ions, Cl–. Although most mercury compounds are now known to be poisonous, eighteenth-century physicians used calomel as a medication. Their patients rarely suffered any mercury poisoning from the treatments because calomel has a very low solubility, as suggested by its very small Ksp:

Hg2Cl2(s) ⇌ Hg22+(aq) + 2Cl−(aq)          Ksp = 1.1 × 10-18

Calculate the molar solubility of Hg2Cl2.

Solution:

The dissolution stoichiometry shows a 1:1 relation between the amount of compound dissolved and the amount of mercury(I) ions, and so the molar solubility of Hg2Cl2 is equal to the concentration of Hg22+ ions.

Following the ICE approach results in

This table has two main columns and four rows. The first row for the first column does not have a heading and then has the following in the first column: Initial concentration ( M ), Change ( M ), Equilibrium concentration ( M ). The second column has the header of, “H g subscript 2 C l subscript 2 equilibrium arrow H g subscript 2 superscript 2 positive sign plus 2 C l superscript negative sign.” Under the second column is a subgroup of three rows and three columns. The first column is blank. The second column has the following: 0, positive x, x. The third column has the following: 0, positive 2 x, 2 x.

Substituting the equilibrium concentration terms into the solubility product expression and solving for x gives

Ksp = [Hg22+][Cl−]2
1.1 × 10-18 = (x)(2x)2
4x3 = 1.1 × 10-18
[Hg22+] = 6.5 × 10-7 M
[Cl−] = 2x = 2(6.5 × 10-7 M) = 1.3 × 10-6 M

The dissolution stoichiometry shows the molar solubility of Hg2Cl2 is equal to [Hg22+] or 6.5 ×  10–7M.

Check Your Learning:

Determine the molar solubility of MgF2 from its solubility product: Ksp = 6.4 × 10–9.

 

Answer:

1.2 × 10–3 M

Using Barium Sulfate for Medical Imaging

Various types of medical imaging techniques are used to aid diagnoses of illnesses in a noninvasive manner. One such technique utilizes the ingestion of a barium compound before taking an X-ray image. A suspension of barium sulfate, a chalky powder, is ingested by the patient. Since the Ksp of barium sulfate is 2.3 × 10–8, very little of it dissolves as it coats the lining of the patient’s intestinal tract. Barium-coated areas of the digestive tract then appear on an X-ray as white, allowing for greater visual detail than a traditional X-ray ((Figure)).

 

A suspension of barium sulfate coats the intestinal tract, permitting greater visual detail than a traditional X-ray. (credit modification of work by “glitzy queen00”/Wikimedia Commons)

This figure contains one image. A black and white abdominal x-ray image is shown in which the intestinal tract of a person is clearly visible in white.

Medical imaging using barium sulfate can be used to diagnose acid reflux disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcers in addition to other conditions.

Visit this website for more information on how barium is used in medical diagnoses and which conditions it is used to diagnose.

Predicting Precipitation

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

CaCO3(s) ⇌ Ca2+(aq) + CO32−(aq)          Ksp = [Ca2+][CO32-] = 8.7 × 10-9

It is important to realize that this equilibrium is established in any aqueous solution containing Ca2+ and CO32– ions, not just in a solution formed by saturating water with calcium carbonate. Consider, for example, mixing aqueous solutions of the soluble compounds sodium carbonate and calcium nitrate. If the concentrations of calcium and carbonate ions in the mixture do not yield a reaction quotient, Qsp, that exceeds the solubility product, Ksp, then no precipitation will occur. If the ion concentrations yield a reaction quotient greater than the solubility product, then precipitation will occur, lowering those concentrations until equilibrium is established (Qsp = Ksp). The comparison of Qsp to Ksp to predict precipitation is an example of the general approach to predicting the direction of a reaction first introduced in the chapter on equilibrium. For the specific case of solubility equilibria:

Qsp < Ksp: the reaction proceeds in the forward direction (solution is not saturated; no precipitation observed)

Qsp > Ksp: the reaction proceeds in the reverse direction (solution is supersaturated; precipitation will occur)

This predictive strategy and related calculations are demonstrated in the next few example exercises.

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) ⇌ Mg2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq)          Ksp = 8.9 × 10-12

The concentration of Mg2+(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:

Calculation of the reaction quotient under these conditions is shown here:

Q = [Mg2+]0[OH−]02 = (0.0537 M)(0.0010 M)2 = 5.4 × 10-8

Because Q is greater than Ksp (Q = 5.4 × 10–8 is larger than Ksp = 8.9 × 10–12), the reverse reaction will proceed, precipitating magnesium hydroxide until the dissolved ion concentrations have been sufficiently lowered, so that Qsp = Ksp.

Check Your Learning:

Predict whether CaHPO4 will precipitate from a solution with [Ca2+] = 0.0001 M and [HPO42−] = 0.001 M.

 

Answer:

No precipitation of CaHPO4; Q = 1 × 10–7, which is less than Ksp (7 × 10–7)

Precipitation of AgCl

Does silver chloride precipitate when equal volumes of a 2.0 × 10–4–M solution of AgNO3 and a 2.0 × 10–4–M solution of NaCl are mixed?

Solution:

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

AgCl(s) ⇌ Ag+(aq) + Cl−(aq)

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 AgNO3 and NaCl is greater than Ksp. Because the volume doubles when equal volumes of AgNO3 and NaCl solutions are mixed, each concentration is reduced to half its initial value

½(2.0 × 10-4 M) = 1.0 × 10-4 M

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

Q = [Ag+]0[Cl−]0 = (1.0 × 10-4  M)(1.0 × 10-4 M) = 1.0 × 10-8
Q > Ksp

AgCl will precipitate from the mixture until the dissolution equilibrium is established, with Q equal to Ksp.

Check Your Learning:

Will KClO4 precipitate when 20 mL of a 0.050-M solution of K+ is added to 80 mL of a 0.50-M solution of ClO4−? (Hint: Use the dilution equation to calculate the concentrations of potassium and perchlorate ions in the mixture.)

 

Answer:

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

Precipitation of Calcium Oxalate

Blood will not clot if calcium ions are removed from its plasma. Some blood collection tubes contain salts of the oxalate ion, C2O42−, for this purpose ((Figure)). At sufficiently high concentrations, the calcium and oxalate ions form solid, CaC2O4·H2O (calcium oxalate monohydrate). The concentration of Ca2+ in a sample of blood serum is 2.2 × 10–3 M. What concentration of C2O42− ion must be established before CaC2O4·H2O begins to precipitate?

 

Anticoagulants can be added to blood that will combine with the Ca2+ ions in blood serum and prevent the blood from clotting. (credit: modification of work by Neeta Lind)

A photograph is shown of 6 vials of blood resting on and near a black and white document. Two of the vials have purple caps, three have tan caps, and one has a red cap. Each has a label and the vials with tan caps have a small amount of an off-white material present in a layer at the base of the vial.

Solution:

The equilibrium expression is:

CaC2O42−(s) ⇌ Ca2+(aq) + C2O42−(aq)

For this reaction:

Ksp = [Ca2+][C2O42−] = 1.96 × 10-8           (see Appendix J)

Substitute the provided calcium ion concentration into the solubility product expression and solve for oxalate concentration:

Q = Ksp =[Ca2+][C2O42−]= 1.96 × 10-8
(2.2 × 10-3 M)[C2O42−] = 1.96 × 10-8
[C2O42−] = 8.9 × 10-6 M

A concentration of 8.9 × 10–6 M C2O42− is necessary to initiate the precipitation of CaC2O4 under these conditions.

Check Your Learning:

If a solution contains 0.0020 mol CrO42− per liter, what concentration of Ag+ ion must be reached by adding solid AgNO3 before Ag2CrO4 begins to precipitate? Neglect any increase in volume upon adding the solid silver nitrate.

 

Answer:

6.7 × 10–5 M

Concentrations Following Precipitation

Clothing washed in water that has [Mn2+] exceeding 0.1 mg/L (1.8 × 10–6 M) may be stained by the manganese upon oxidation, but the amount of Mn2+ in the water can be decreased by adding a base to precipitate Mn(OH)2. What pH is required to keep [Mn2+] equal to 1.8 × 10–6 M?

Solution:

The dissolution of Mn(OH)2 is described by the equation:

Mn(OH)2(s) ⇌ Mn2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq)            Ksp = 2 × 10-13

At equilibrium:

Ksp = [Mn2+][OH−]2
(1.8 × 10-6 M)[OH−]2 = 2 × 10-13

[ OH−] = 3 × 10-4 M

Calculate the pH from the pOH:

pOH = −log [OH−] = −log(3 × 10-4 M) = 3.5
pH = 14.00 – pOH = 14.00 – 3.5 = 10.5

Check Your Learning:

The first step in the preparation of magnesium metal is the precipitation of Mg(OH)2 from sea water by the addition of Ca(OH)2. The concentration of Mg2+(aq) in sea water is 5.37 × 10–2 M. Calculate the pH at which [Mg2+] is decreased to 1.0 × 10–5M.

 

Answer:

10.97

In solutions containing two or more ions that may form insoluble compounds with the same counter ion, an experimental strategy called selective precipitation may be used to remove individual ions from solution. By increasing the counter ion concentration in a controlled manner, ions in solution may be precipitated individually, assuming their compound solubilities are adequately different. In solutions with equal concentrations of target ions, the ion forming the least soluble compound will precipitate first (at the lowest concentration of counter ion), with the other ions subsequently precipitating as their compound’s solubilities are reached. As an illustration of this technique, the next example exercise describes separation of a two halide ions via precipitation of one as a silver salt.

 

The Role of Precipitation in Wastewater Treatment

Solubility equilibria are useful tools in the treatment of wastewater carried out in facilities that may treat the municipal water in your city or town ((Figure)). Specifically, selective precipitation is used to remove contaminants from wastewater before it is released back into natural bodies of water. For example, phosphate ions, PO43−, are often present in the water discharged from manufacturing facilities. An abundance of phosphate causes excess algae to grow, which impacts the amount of oxygen available for marine life as well as making water unsuitable for human consumption.

 

Wastewater treatment facilities, such as this one, remove contaminants from wastewater before the water is released back into the natural environment. (credit: “eutrophication&hypoxia”/Wikimedia Commons)

A color photograph is shown of a high volume wastewater treatment facility. Nineteen large circular pools of water undergoing treatment are visible across the center of the photograph. A building and parking lot are visible in the foreground.

One common way to remove phosphates from water is by the addition of calcium hydroxide, or lime, Ca(OH)2. As the water is made more basic, the calcium ions react with phosphate ions to produce hydroxylapatite, Ca5(PO4)3OH, which then precipitates out of the solution:

5Ca2+(aq) + 3PO43−(aq) + OH−(aq) → Ca5(PO4)3OH(s)

Because the amount of calcium ion added does not result in exceeding the solubility products for other calcium salts, the anions of those salts remain behind in the wastewater. The precipitate is then removed by filtration and the water is brought back to a neutral pH by the addition of CO2 in a recarbonation process. Other chemicals can also be used for the removal of phosphates by precipitation, including iron(III) chloride and aluminum sulfate.

View this site for more information on how phosphorus is removed from wastewater.

Precipitation of Silver Halides

A solution contains 0.00010 mol of KBr and 0.10 mol of KCl per liter. AgNO3 is gradually added to this solution. Which forms first, solid AgBr or solid AgCl?

Solution:

The two equilibria involved are:

AgCl(s) ⇌ Ag+(aq) + Cl−(aq)          Ksp = 1.6 × 10-10
AgBr(s) ⇌ Ag+(aq) + Br−(aq)          Ksp = 5.0 × 10-13

If the solution contained about equal concentrations of Cl– and Br–, then the silver salt with the smaller Ksp (AgBr) would precipitate first. The concentrations are not equal, however, so the [Ag+] at which AgCl begins to precipitate and the [Ag+] at which AgBr begins to precipitate must be calculated. The salt that forms at the lower [Ag+] precipitates first.

AgBr precipitates when Q equals Ksp for AgBr:

Q = [Ag+]0[Br−]0 = [Ag+]0(0.00010 M) = 5.0 × 10-13
[Ag+] = (5.0 × 10-13)/(0.00010 M) = 5.0 × 10-9 M

AgBr begins to precipitate when [Ag+] is 5.0 × 10–9 M.

For AgCl: AgCl precipitates when Q equals Ksp for AgCl:

Q = [Ag+]0[Cl−]0 = [Ag+]0(0.10 M) = 1.6 × 10-10
[Ag+] = (1.6 × 10-10)/(0.10 M) = 1.6 × 10-9M

AgCl begins to precipitate when [Ag+] is 1.6 × 10–9 M.

AgCl begins to precipitate at a lower [Ag+] than AgBr, so AgCl begins to precipitate first. Note the chloride ion concentration of the initial mixture was significantly greater than the bromide ion concentration, and so silver chloride precipitated first despite having a Ksp greater than that of silver bromide.

Check Your Learning:

If silver nitrate solution is added to a solution which is 0.050 M in both Cl– and Br– ions, at what [Ag+] would precipitation begin, and what would be the formula of the precipitate?

 

Answer:

[Ag+] = 1.0 × 10–11M; AgBr precipitates first

Common Ion Effect

Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which may be explained using Le Châtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:

AgI(s) ⇌ Ag+(aq) + I−(aq)

This solubility equilibrium may be shifted left by the addition of either silver(I) or iodide ions, resulting in the precipitation of AgI and lowered concentrations of dissolved Ag+ and I–. In solutions that already contain either of these ions, less AgI may be dissolved than in solutions without these ions.

This effect may also be explained as represented in the solubility product expression:

Ksp = [Ag+][I–]

The mathematical product of silver(I) and iodide ion molarities is constant in an equilibrium mixture regardless of the source of the ions, and so an increase in one ion’s concentration must be balanced by a proportional decrease in the other.

Common Ion Effect on Solubility

What is the effect on the amount of solid Mg(OH)2 and the concentrations of Mg2+ and OH– when each of the following are added to a saturated solution of Mg(OH)2?

(a) MgCl2

(b) KOH

(c) NaNO3

(d) Mg(OH)2

Solution:

The solubility equilibrium is

Mg(OH)2(s) ⇌ Mg2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq)

(a) The reaction shifts to the left to relieve the stress produced by the additional Mg2+ ion, in accordance with Le Châtelier’s principle. In quantitative terms, the added Mg2+ causes the reaction quotient to be larger than the solubility product (Q > Ksp), and Mg(OH)2 forms until the reaction quotient again equals Ksp. At the new equilibrium, [OH–] is less and [Mg2+] is greater than in the solution of Mg(OH)2 in pure water. More solid Mg(OH)2 is present.

(b) The reaction shifts to the left to relieve the stress of the additional OH– ion. Mg(OH)2 forms until the reaction quotient again equals Ksp. At the new equilibrium, [OH–] is greater and [Mg2+] is less than in the solution of Mg(OH)2 in pure water. More solid Mg(OH)2 is present.

(c) The added compound does not contain a common ion, and no effect on the magnesium hydroxide solubility equilibrium is expected.

(d) Adding more solid magnesium hydroxide will increase the amount of undissolved compound in the mixture. The solution is already saturated, though, so the concentrations of dissolved magnesium and hydroxide ions will remain the same.

Q = [Mg2+]0[OH−]02

Thus, changing the amount of solid magnesium hydroxide in the mixture has no effect on the value of Q, and no shift is required to restore Q to the value of the equilibrium constant.

Check Your Learning:

What is the effect on the amount of solid NiCO3 and the concentrations of Ni2+ and CO32− when each of the following are added to a saturated solution of NiCO3

(a) Ni(NO3)2

(b) KClO4

(c) NiCO3

(d) K2CO3

 

Answer:

(a) mass of NiCO3(s) increases, [Ni2+] increases, [CO32−] decreases; (b) no appreciable effect; (c) no effect except to increase the amount of solid NiCO3; (d) mass of NiCO3(s) increases, [Ni2+] decreases, [CO32−] increases.

Common Ion Effect

Calculate the molar solubility of cadmium sulfide (CdS) in a 0.010-M solution of cadmium bromide (CdBr2). The Ksp of CdS is 1.0 × 10–28.

Solution:

This calculation can be performed using the ICE approach:

CdS(s) ⇌ Cd2+(aq) + S2−(aq)

This table has two main columns and four rows. The first row for the first column does not have a heading and then has the following in the first column: Initial concentration ( M ), Change ( M ), and Equilibrium concentration ( M ). The second column has the header, “C d S equilibrium arrow C d to the second power plus S to the second power superscript negative sign.” Under the second column is a subgroup of three rows and three columns. The first column is blank. The second column has the following: 0.010, positive x, 0.010 plus x. The third column has the following: 0, positive x, x.

 Ksp = [Cd2+][S2−] = 1.0 × 10-28
(0.010 M + x)(x) = 1.0 × 10-28

Because Ksp is very small, assume x < 0.05 × 0.010 M, i.e. x < 0.00050 M and solve the simplified equation for x:

(0.010)(x) = 1.0 × 10-28
x = 1.0 × 10-26 M          ASSUMPTION VALID

The molar solubility of CdS in this solution is 1.0 × 10–26 M.

Check Your Learning:

Calculate the molar solubility of aluminum hydroxide, Al(OH)3, in a 0.015-M solution of aluminum nitrate, Al(NO3)3. The Ksp of Al(OH)3 is 2 × 10–32.

 

Answer:

4 × 10–11 M

Key Concepts and Summary

The equilibrium constant for an equilibrium involving the precipitation or dissolution of a slightly soluble ionic solid is called the solubility product, Ksp, of the solid. For a heterogeneous equilibrium involving the slightly soluble solid MpXq and its ions Mm+ and Xn–:

MpXq(s) ⇌ pMm+(aq) + qXn−(aq)

the solubility product expression is:

Ksp = [Mm+]p[Xn−]q

The solubility product of a slightly soluble electrolyte can be calculated from its solubility; conversely, its solubility can be calculated from its Ksp, provided the only significant reaction that occurs when the solid dissolves is the formation of its ions.

A slightly soluble electrolyte begins to precipitate when the magnitude of the reaction quotient for the dissolution reaction exceeds the magnitude of the solubility product. Precipitation continues until the reaction quotient equals the solubility product.

 

Glossary

common ion effect
effect on equilibrium when a substance with an ion in common with the dissolved species is added to the solution; causes a decrease in the solubility of an ionic species, or a decrease in the ionization of a weak acid or base
molar solubility
solubility of a compound expressed in units of moles per liter (mol/L)
solubility product constant (Ksp)
equilibrium constant for the dissolution of an ionic compound

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