Answers to Questions

1. Write the net ionic reaction for the precipitation of Ca(OH) 2 and give the Ksp expression of the
reaction.
Net ionic: Ca(OH)2 Ca2+ + 2 OHKsp expression: Ksp = [Ca2+][OH-]2
2. What is the working equation for the determination of the [Ca 2+] in the saturated solution of
Ca(OH)2?

OH

[Ca2+] =
=

M1 V 1 1
x
V2
2

Where M1, V1, and V2 refer to the ones of [OH-].

3. Write the Ksp of Ca(OH)2 in terms of its (a) molar solubility s, (b) [OH-] and (c) [Ca2+].
(a) Ksp = 4s3

OH

3
(b) Ksp =

(c) Ksp = 4[Ca2+]3

4. Discuss the effects of common ions and increasing ionic strength on the solubility of the Ca(OH) 2
precipitate. Do they coincide with theoretical effects? Explain.
Common ions have been shown to increase solubility as mentioned in the Introduction of
the Formal Report submitted. The Common-Ion Effect is an application of Le Chateliers
principle. It states that when a common-ion is added into a solution of dissociated solids,
the reaction would proceed towards the precipitation of the dissolved solid due to the
solutions shifting equilibrium which balances the reaction to maintain the state. In short,
the addition of a common-ion increases/improves solubility.
Increasing the ionic strength also increases solubility. With the increase in the
concentration of the reactants ions, the solubility also increases because more of the
reactants moles will interact thereby causing a reaction.

5. What are the possible sources of errors and their effect on the calculated parameters? Rationalize.
Most of the errors can be traced back to human error. For instance, theres the possibility
that there was a misreading when it comes to the measurement of the solutions and/or
the primary standard. A misreading will affect the calculations of the molarity and could
potentially lead to incorrect results.

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An incorrect measurement in the weighing of the primary standard has an even bigger
effect since it affects the rest of the experiment. Like in the previous, it affects the
calculations and could make the result undesirable.
References
[1] Brown, e. a. (2015). Chemistry: The Central Science (Thirteenth ed.). London: Pearson
Education Limited.
[2] Odian, G., & Blei, I. (1994). Schaum's Outlines: General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry.
New Jersey: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
[3] Silberberg, M. (2013). Principles of General Chemistry (Third ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

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