CHEMISTRY 103B, Spring 2008

Problem Set 6: 15 Points

Answer Key
Problem 1. (eight points) This is a solubility equilibrium problem dealing with a
saturated water solution of calcium phosphate in equilibrium with solid calcium
phosphate. The Ksp value for this substance is 1.2 x 10-29.
Ca3(PO4)2 (s)

+ H2O(l)

3 Ca2+(aq)

+ 2PO43-(aq)

Initial

Change

+3x

+2x

Equilibrium

[3x]

[2x]

(a) Find the concentration in mol/L of calcium ion in the solution.

Let x be the number of moles of calcium phosphate that dissolve in 1.00 L of water. The
concentration of calcium ion will then be 3x and that of phosphate ion will be 2x (why?)
3

K sp [Ca 2 ]3[ PO4 ]2 [3 x]3 [2 x]2 1.2 10 29 108 x 5

x

1.2 1029
6.4 107
108
[Ca2+] = 3x = 1.9 x 10-6 mol/L

(b) Find the concentration in mol/L of phosphate ion in the solution.

[PO43-] = 2x = 1.3 x 10-6 mol/L
(c) Find the total concentration of all ions (sum of positive and negative concentrations)
in this solution.
Total Concentration = (1.9 x 10-6) + (1.3 x 10-6) = 3.2 x 10-6 mol/L
(d) If the calcium ion concentration is increased by adding a soluble calcium salt, the
concentration of phosphate ion will increase, decrease, or stay the same (choose one).
Decrease (Le Chatelier Principle)

(e) If more water is added and the solution and solid calcium phosphate are allowed to
reach equilibrium again, the concentration of calcium ion will increase, decrease, or stay
the same (choose one).
Stay the Same (Equilibrium concentrations will not change)
(f) If more water is added and the solution and solid calcium phosphate are allowed to
reach equilibrium again, the concentration of phosphate ion will increase, decrease, or stay
the same (choose one).
Stay the Same (Equilibrium concentrations will not change)
(g) If more solid calcium phosphate is added to the saturated solution, the concentration
of calcium ion will increase, decrease, or stay the same (choose one).
Stay the Same (Solution is saturated and no more will dissolve)
(h) If more solid calcium phosphate is added to the saturated solution, the concentration
of phosphate ion will increase, decrease, or stay the same (choose one).
Stay the Same (Solution is saturated and no more will dissolve)

Problem 2. (three points) The following questions deal with the pH of various solutions.
Relevant Ka values can be found in Table 18.2 in your textbook. Consult the acid/base
table from Problem Set 5 also.
(a) Find the pH of a water solution of sodium benzoate (NaC6H5CO2), 0.80 mol/L) and
benzoic acid (C6H5COOH), 0.30 mol/L).
Benzoic acid is a weak acid, therefore this is a buffer solution (weak acid and conjugate
base). For benzoic acid Ka = 6.3 x 10-5.
[H ] Ka

[ HA]
0.30
6.3 105
2.4 105

[A ]
0.80

pH log10 [2.4 105 ] 4.63

(b) Find the pH of a water solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl, 0.80 mol/L) and sodium
chloride (NaCl, 0.30 mol/L).
Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid. This is not a buffer solution. The concentration of
hydronium ion is 0.80 mol/L.
pH = -log(0.80) = 0.097
(c) Find the pH of a water solution of ethanol (C2H5OH, 0.30 mol/L) and sodium ethoxide
(NaOC2H5, 0.80 mol/L). (Note: ethanol is not a proton donor in water)
Since ethanol is not a proton donor, its conjugate base is a strong base. The
concentration of hydroxide ion is 0.80 mol/L.
pOH = -log[0.80] = 0.097

pH = 14.000 0.097 = 13.90

Problem 3. (four points)

(a) An object transfers 300 J of heat to its surroundings. Simultaneously, it performs
1200 J of work upon the surroundings. What is E?
E = q + w = (-300 J) + (-1200 J) = -1500 J
(b) For a reaction to be spontaneous at only low temperatures, which of the following will
be true?
H > 0 and S > 0

H > 0 and S < 0

H < 0 and S < 0

H <0 and S >0

(c) For a reaction to be spontaneous at any temperature, which of the following will be
true?
H > 0 and S > 0

H > 0 and S < 0

H <0 and S >0

H < 0 and S < 0

(d) When the entropy of the surroundings decreases, which of the following must be true if the
process is spontaneous?
(a) Suniverse = 0

(b) Disorder in
the system must
increase

(c) The
temperature of
the system must
decrease

(d) The
surroundings
absorb heat

(e) H = T S