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Problems · Problem 3.11

Q.A solution is prepared by mixing equal volumes of 0.1M MgCl2\mathrm{MgCl_2} and 0.3M Na2C2O4\mathrm{Na_2C_2O_4} at 293 K. Would MgC2O4\mathrm{MgC_2O_4} precipitate out ? KspK_{sp} of MgC2O4\mathrm{MgC_2O_4} at 293 K is 8.56×10−58.56 \times 10^{-5}.

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✓ Free question

After mixing, IP =0.05×0.15=7.5×10−3= 0.05\times0.15 = 7.5\times10^{-3}, far above Ksp=8.56×10−5K_{sp} = 8.56\times10^{-5} -- precipitation occurs.

Step 1. Mixing equal volumes doubles the total volume, so each solute's concentration halves: [Mg2+]=0.1/2=0.05[\mathrm{Mg^{2+}}] = 0.1/2 = 0.05 mol/L and [C2O42−]=0.3/2=0.15[\mathrm{C_2O_4^{2-}}] = 0.3/2 = 0.15 mol/L (both salts are strong electrolytes, fully dissociated).

Step 2. For MgC2O4\mathrm{MgC_2O_4} (a 1:1 salt), the ionic product in the freshly mixed solution is IP=[Mg2+][C2O42−]=0.05×0.15=0.0075=7.5×10−3\text{IP} = [\mathrm{Mg^{2+}}][\mathrm{C_2O_4^{2-}}] = 0.05\times0.15 = 0.0075 = 7.5\times10^{-3}.

Step 3. Compare with the solubility product: Ksp=8.56×10−5K_{sp} = 8.56\times10^{-5} at 293 K. Here IP=7.5×10−3>Ksp\text{IP} = 7.5\times10^{-3} > K_{sp}.

Step 4. By the condition of precipitation (section 3.9.3), IP >Ksp> K_{sp} means the solution is supersaturated in MgC2O4\mathrm{MgC_2O_4} -- precipitation takes place.

✓Final answer

IP =7.5×10−3= 7.5\times10^{-3} is greater than Ksp=8.56×10−5K_{sp} = 8.56\times10^{-5}, so MgC2O4\mathrm{MgC_2O_4} WILL precipitate out -- matching the textbook's printed conclusion.

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