SCH4U

Answers: Solutions and Ksp

1.

At 25oC, 1.7 x 10-5 mol of Cd(OH)2 dissolves in 1.0 L of water. Calculate the Ksp for
Cd(OH)2.

Cd(OH)2(s)

[I]
[C]

Cd2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq)
0

(-1.7 x 10-5 )

[E]

+1.7 x 10-5

+2(1.7 x 10-5)

1.7 x 10-5

3.4 x 10-5

Ksp = [Cd2+(aq)][OH-(aq)]2
= (1.7 x 10-5)( 3.4 x 10-5)2
= 2.0 x 10-14

2. The Ksp of NiCO3 is 1.4 x 10-7. Calculate the solubility of NiCO3 in mol/L and in g/L.

NiCO3(s)
 Ni2+(aq) + CO32-(aq)

[I]
[C]

(-x)

+x

+x

[E]
Ksp = [Ni2+][CO32-]
1.4 x 10-7 = x2
X = 3.7 x 10-4

Therefore the solubility of NiCO3 is 3.7 x 10-4 mol/L OR

3.7 x 10-4 x 118.70 g/mol = 0.044 g/L

3. Calculate the [Ag+] in a saturated solution of Ag2CrO4. (Ksp = 1.9 x 10-12)

Ag2CrO4(s)
 2Ag+(aq) + CrO42-(aq)

[I]

[C]

+2x

+x

[E]

2x

Ksp = [Ag+]2 [CrO42-]

1.9 x 10-12 = (2x)2(x)
1.9 x 10-12 = 4x3
X = 7.8 x 10-5
Therefore, [Ag+] = 2(7.8 x 10-5) = 1.6 x 10-4 mol/L

4. Which sulfide has the lower molar solubility: Ag2S (Ksp=5.5 x 10-51) or CuS (Ksp=8.0 x
10-37)?

Ag2S(s)
 2Ag+(aq) + S2-(aq)

[I]

[C]

+2x

+x

[E]

2x

5.5 x 10-51 = (2x)2(x)

5.5 x 10-51 = 4x3
X = 1.1 x 10-17

The solubility of Ag2S is 1.1 x 10-17 mol/L

CuS(s)
 Cu2+(aq) + S2-(aq)

[I]

[C]

+x

+x

[E]

8.0 x 10-37 = (x)(x)

X = 8.9 x 10-19

The solubility of CuS is 8.9 x 10-19 mol/L

Therefore CuS has the lower solubility.

5. What is the nature of a solution that contains 1.6 x 10-4 mol Ni2+ and 5.6 x 10-4 mol
CO32-?

NiCO3(s)
 Ni2+(aq)

+ CO32-(aq)

Ksp = 1.4 x 10-7

Q = [Ni2+(aq)][ CO32-(aq)]
= (1.6 x 10-4)(5.6 x 10-4)
= 9.0 x 10-8
Q < Ksp therefore the solution is unsaturated.

6. Will a precipitate of PbSO4 form if 28 mL of 0.0032 M Pb(NO3)2(aq) is added to 48

mL of 0.00012 M Na2SO4? Ksp for PbSO4 is 1.8 x 10-8.

PbSO4(s)
 Pb2+(aq) + SO42-(aq)

Ksp = 1.8 x 10-8

To find [Pb2+], you first need to determine the [Pb(NO3)2] after

mixing.
C1V1 = C2V2
(0.0032) (28) = C2(76)
C2 = 0.0012
Therefore the initial [Pb2+] = 0.0012 M
To find [SO42-], you first need to determine the [Na2SO4] after
mixing.
C1V1 = C2V2
(0.00012) (48) = C2(76)
C2 = 7.6 x 10-5
Therefore the initial [SO42-] = 7.6 x 10-5 M
PbSO4(s)
 Pb2+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
[I]

0.0012

7.6 x 10-5

Q = (Pb2+(aq))( SO42-(aq))
= (0.0012)( 7.6 x 10-5)
= 9.1 x 10-8
Q > Ksp therefore a precipitate will form.

Ksp = 1.8 x 10-8

7. Will a precipitate of calcium sulfate form if 10.0 g of CaCl2 and 5.7 g of Na2SO4 are
added to water with a final volume of 2.0 L? Ksp for CaSO4 is 3.6 x 10-5.

CaSO4(s)
 Ca2+(aq) + SO42-(aq)

Ksp = 3.6 x 10-5

To find [Ca2+], you first need to determine the [CaCl2] after

mixing.
nCaCl2 = 10.0g/110.98g/mol = 0.0901 mol
[CaCl]2 = 0.0901mol/2.0L = 0.0451 mol/L
Therefore, [Ca2+] = 0.0451 M

To find [SO42-], you first need to determine the [Na2SO4] after

mixing.
NNa2SO4 = 5.7g/142.04g/mol = 0.0401 mol
[Na2SO4] = 0.0401 mol/2.0 L = 0.0201 mol/L
Therefore the initial [SO42-] = 0.0201 M
CaSO4(s)
 Ca2+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
[I]

0.0451

0.0201

Q = [Ca2+(aq)][ SO42-(aq)]
= (0.0451)( 0.0201)
= 9.07 x 10-4
Q > Ksp therefore a precipitate will form.

Ksp = 3.6 x 10-5

8.

What concentration of SO42- is necessary to start the precipitation of BaSO4 from

a saturated solution of BaF2? Ksp of BaSO4 is 1.5 x 10-9 and Ksp of BaF2 is 2.4 x 10-4.

BaSO4(s)
 Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq)

*

Ksp = 1.5 x 10-9

**

* Can get from BaF2 equilibrium

** Need to find
*BaF2(s)
 Ba2+(aq) + 2F-(aq)
[I]
0
0
[C]
+x
+2x
[E]
x
2x

Ksp = 2.4 x 10-4

2.4 x 10-4 = (x)(2x)2

2.4 x 10-4 = 4x3
X = 0.039
Therefore the equilibrium [Ba2+] = 0.039 M
BaSO4(s)
 Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
[E]

0.039

Ksp = 1.5 x 10-9

1.5 x 10-9 = [Ba2+][SO42-]

1.5 x 10-9 = (0.039)(y)
Y = 3.8 x 10-8 This will make a saturated solution anything
greater than this will cause precipitation.
Therefore [SO42-] > 3.8 x 10-8 mol/L

9. How many grams of Ag2CO3 will dissolve in 150 mL of 0.15M Na2CO3 solution? Ksp for
Ag2CO3 is 8.2 x 10-12.

Ag2CO3(s)
 2Ag+(aq) + CO32-(aq)

[I]
[C]

(-x)

Ksp = 8.2 x 10-12

0.15 (from Na2CO3)

+2x

+x

[E]

2x

0.15 x (this x is insignificant)

8.2 x 10-12 = (2x)2(0.15 x)

8.2 x 10-12 = 4x2(0.15)
8.2 x 10-12 = 0.60x2
X = 3.7 x 10-6

Therefore the solubility is 3.7 x 10-6 mol/L OR

3.7 x 10-6 mol/L x 275.75 g/mol x 0.15L
= 1.5 x 10-4 g in 150 mL

10. What is the new concentration of calcium ions in the solution if 4.0 x 10-4 moles of
potassium sulfate are added to 500 mL of a saturated solution of CaSO4? Ksp for
CaSO4 is 2.4 x 10-5.

[SO42-] = 4.0 x 10-4 mol/ 0.500L = 8.0 x 10-4 M

CaSO4(s)
 Ca2+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
[I]
0
8.0 x 10-4
[C]
+x
+x
[E]
x
8.0 x 10-4 + x

Ksp = 2.4 x 10-5

2.4 x 10-5 = (x)( 8.0 x 10-4 + x)

2.4 x 10-5 = 8.0 x 10-4 x + x2
X2 + 8.0 x 10-4 x - 2.4 x 10-5 = 0
   
 





0.0045
Therefore, the new [Ca2+] = 0.0045M

11. What minimum concentration of NH4+(aq) is necessary to prevent the formation of

Mg(OH)2 from a solution that is 0.030 mol/L in Mg2+ and 0.030 M NH3? Ksp for
Mg(OH)2 is 8.9 x 10-12 and NH3 is at equilibrium according to the following equation:

NH3(g) + H2O(l)
 NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Keq = 1.8 x 10 -5

You first need to find the [OH-] at equilibrium with Mg2+ in the
Mg(OH)2 solution.
Mg(OH)2(s)
 Mg2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq)
[E]
0.030
2y

Ksp = 8.9 x 10-12

8.9 x 10-12 = (0.030)(2y)2

4Y2 = 2.97 x 10-10
Y = 8.61 x 10-6
Therefore the maximum [OH-] = 2(8.61 x 10-6) = 1.7 x 10-5 M.
Anything higher will cause a precipitate.
NH3(g) + H2O(l)
 NH4+(aq) +
[I] 0.030

[C] - 1.7 x 10-5

[E] 0.030 - 1.7 x 10-5

+ 1.7 x 10-5
x + 1.7 x 10-5

OH-(aq)

Keq = 1.8 x 10-5

0
+ 1.7 x 10-5
1.7 x 10-5

1.8 x 10-5 = (x + 1.7 x 10-5)( 1.7 x 10-5)

0.030 - 1.7 x 10-5
X = 0.032
Therefore the minimum [NH4+] is 0.032 + 1.7 x 10-5 =
0.032mol/L to keep the [OH-] at 1.7 x 10-5 which in turn
keeps Mg(OH)2 from precipitating.