Solving Ksp Problems:
Part One - s2Solving Ksp Problems:
Part Two - 4s3Solving Ksp Problems:
Part Three - 27s4Solving Ksp Problems:
Part Four - 108s5Back to Equilibrium Menu
Request: if you came here first without studying any of the other problems (or knowing what a Ksp expression is), I'd like to recommend you go study those problems first.
Problem #1: The Ksp of Sn3(BO3)4 is 6.128 x 10¯12. Determine the molar solubility.
Solution:
1) Write the dissociation equation:
Sn3(BO3)4(s) ⇌ 3Sn4+(aq) + 4BO33¯(aq)
2) Write the Ksp expression:
Ksp = [Sn4+]3 [BO33¯]4
3) Solve for the molar solubility:
6.128 x 10¯12 = (3s)3 (4s)4Note: three tin(IV) ions are produced in solution for every one Sn3(BO3)4 that dissolves. As well, 4 borate ions are produced for every one tin(IV) borate formula unit that dissolves.6.128 x 10¯12 = (27s3) (256s4)
6.128 x 10¯12 = 6912s7
s = 0.007074 M
Problem #2: Given that the Ksp value for MX, M2X and MX3 are the same, determine the solubility order.
(a) MX > M2X > MX3
(b) MX3 > M2X > MX
(c) M2X > MX3 > MX
(d) MX > MX3 > M2X
Solution:
1) Since the Ksp values for all three are the same, I will assume a Ksp value to use. Since Ksp values are quite small, I should pick a reasonable value. In other words:
Ksp = 1 x 10¯6 is reasonableKsp = 1 is not reasonable, because it is too large compared to what actual Ksp values are.
2) What I need to do is calculate each substance's molar solubility:
MX ---> s12 = 1.00 x 10¯6M2X ---> 4s23 = 1.00 x 10¯6
MX3 ---> 27s34 = 1.00 x 10¯6
If you need to review why the solutions just above are set up the way they are, please go here. The link take you to the explanation for MX. Contained within that file are links to explanations concerning M2X and MX3.
3) The answers:
s1 = 0.00100 M <--- molar solubility for MXs2 = 0.00630 M <--- molar solubility for M2X
s3 = 0.0139 M <--- molar solubility for MX3
Answer choice (b) is the correct answer.
4) Sometimes, the answer choices use a 'less than' sign rather than a 'greater than' sign. If the were the case, here are the answer choices:
(a) MX < M2X < MX3
(b) MX3 < M2X < MX
(c) M2X < MX3 < MX
(d) MX < MX3 < M2XIf these were the answers, the choice (a) is the correct answer.
Solving Ksp Problems:
Part One - s2Solving Ksp Problems:
Part Two - 4s3Solving Ksp Problems:
Part Three - 27s4Solving Ksp Problems:
Part Four - 108s5Back to Equilibrium Menu