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Write Brief Answer · Q9

Q.Define solubility product.

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Concept understanding — Solubility Product and Common Ion Effect

For a sparingly soluble salt XmYn(s)⇌mXn+(aq)+nYm−(aq)X_mY_n(s) \rightleftharpoons mX^{n+}(aq)+nY^{m-}(aq), the solubility product is Ksp=[Xn+]m[Ym−]nK_{sp}=[X^{n+}]^m[Y^{m-}]^n -- the product of the constituent ions' molar concentrations, each raised to its stoichiometric coefficient, once the solid's own (constant) concentration is absorbed out of the equilibrium expression.

Predicting precipitation. Computing the same expression with the actual ion concentrations present (whether or not the solution is at equilibrium) gives the ionic product; comparing it to KspK_{sp} predicts the outcome: ionic product >Ksp>K_{sp} means the solution is supersaturated and precipitation occurs; ionic product <Ksp<K_{sp} means the solution is unsaturated (no precipitate); ionic product =Ksp=K_{sp} means the solution is exactly saturated, at equilibrium.

Relating Ksp to molar solubility. If ss is the molar solubility of XmYnX_mY_n, then [Xn+]=ms[X^{n+}]=ms and [Ym−]=ns[Y^{m-}]=ns, so Ksp=(ms)m(ns)n=mmnnsm+nK_{sp}=(ms)^m(ns)^n=m^m n^n s^{m+n} -- e.g. for a 1:1 salt like BaSO4BaSO_4, Ksp=s2K_{sp}=s^2; for a 2:1 salt like Ag2CrO4Ag_2CrO_4, Ksp=4s3K_{sp}=4s^3. …

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