DETERMINATION OF THE SOLUBILITY PRODUCT CONSTANT OF CALCIUM HYDROXIDE

Write the precipitation reaction.

Cu

2+

(aq) +

2OH (aq)

Cu(OH)2(s)

Give the Ksp expression for the calcium hydroxide precipitate

Ksp = [Ca ][OH ]

2+

- 2

What is the working equation for the determination of the [Ca ] in the saturated Ca(OH)2

2+

Let A be the amount of HCl in liters needed to reach the phenolphthalein endpoint in the titration of a saturated Ca(OH)2 sample with a volume of B liters.

Discuss the effect of common ions and increasing ionic strength on the solubility of Ca(OH) 2 precipitate

Effect of Common Ions on Solubility

With the presence of common ions, the solubility of the precipitate will decrease. Although this was not evident from the experiment, Le Chateliers principle implies that the equilibrium would shift to favor the formation of Calcium Hydroxide precipitate due to the presence of Calcium 2+ ions from the added Calcium Nitrate, instead of its dissociating into ionic components, Ca and OH , reducing its solubility. [Whitten, 774]

Effect of Increasing Ionic Strength on Solubility

As ionic strength increases, solubility increases. With the prescence of additional uncommon ions, the electrolyte effect is produced. This effect results from the different electrostatic attractive and repulsive charges in the ions within the system at equilibrium and the new ions. The cations of the system are wrapped by an anionic atmosphere (from the added ions) that reduces the cations positive charge. On the other hand, the anions of the system are wrapped by a cationic atmosphere (from the added ions) that reduces the anions negative charge. Through this, the attraction of the ions within the system of equilibirum are reduced; preventing the formation of precipitate thus increasing solubility. [Skoog, 269-271]

REFERENCES: [1] Skoog, D.; West, D.; Holler F.J.; Crouch, S.R. Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry. 8 ed. (Thomson Brooks/Cole) (2004) [2] Whitten, K.; Davis, R; Peck, M.; Stanley, G. Chemistry. 8 ed. (Thomson Brooks/Cole) (2007)
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