Solving Ksp Problems: Part Three


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As in the other parts the problem stays the same in each example. It is:

Calculate the molar solubility (in mol/L) of a saturated solution of the substance.

I'm going to assume you've gone through the other files first, so the presentations here will be a bit abbreviated. I'm hoping that you have begun to see a pattern developing.

If not, the pattern is that the coefficient winds up doing two things:

1) it puts a power on the 'x' which represents that particular ion and
2) it puts a coefficient in front of the 'x'

The two example substances are:

Fe(OH)3 Ksp = 2.64 x 10¯39
Ag3PO4 Ksp = 8.88 x 10¯17

Iron(III) hydroxide

Fe(OH)3 <===> Fe3+ + 3 OH¯

Ksp = [Fe3+] [OH¯]3

2.64 x 10¯39 = (x) (3x)3

27x4 = 2.64 x 10¯39

x = 9.94 x 10¯11 M

How's that for abbreviated? The 3x comes from the fact that there are three hydroxides produced for every Fe3+ ion, but you knew that, didn't you?

Silver phosphate

Ag3PO4 <===> 3 Ag+ + PO43¯

Ksp = [Ag+]3 [PO43¯]

8.88 x 10¯17 = (3x)3 (x)

27x4 = 8.88 x 10¯17

x = 4.26 x 10¯5 M

Here are some more problems of this type.

Go to Solving Ksp Problems - Part One
Go to Solving Ksp Problems - Part Two
Go to Solving Ksp Problems - Part Four

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