Q.The concentration of sulphide ion in 0.1M HCl solution saturated with hydrogen sulphide is 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁹ M. If 10 mL of this is added to 5 mL of 0.04 M solution of the following: FeSO4, MnCl2, ZnCl2 and CdCl2. in which of these solutions precipitation will take place?
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Common Ion Effect
The Common Ion Effect: An Intuitive First Look
Imagine you have a glass of water with some salt dissolved in it — say, sodium chloride (NaCl). The salt has dissociated into Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions floating around. Now, if you add more salt, some of it will dissolve, but eventually the water becomes saturated and no more salt dissolves.
Now imagine a different scenario. You have a solution of silver chloride (AgCl) — a sparingly soluble salt. Very little of it dissolves, giving you a tiny concentration of Ag⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. What happens if you now add some sodium chloride (NaCl) to this solution? The NaCl will dissociate completely, flooding the solution with extra Cl⁻ ions.
Here's the key: the system tries to maintain its equilibrium. The solubility equilibrium for AgCl is:
AgCl(s)⇌Ag+(aq)+Cl−(aq)
When you add extra Cl⁻ from NaCl, Le Chatelier's principle kicks in. The equilibrium shifts to the left — more AgCl precipitates out of solution. The presence of a common ion (Cl⁻) suppresses the solubility of AgCl.
That's the common ion effect in a nutshell: the solubility of a salt decreases when you add another salt that shares a common ion with it.
The Precise Statement
Common Ion Effect: The suppression of the dissociation of a weak electrolyte (or the solubility of a sparingly soluble salt) by the addition of a strong electrolyte that provides an ion common to the equilibrium system.
In other words: when you have an equilibrium involving ions, adding more of one of those ions (from a different source) shifts the equilibrium away from the dissociated form.
Why It Matters (and Where You'll See It)
The common ion effect isn't just a textbook curiosity — it's used everywhere in chemistry:
- Controlling pH of buffer solutions: Adding a common ion (like acetate ion to acetic acid) suppresses the dissociation of the weak acid, keeping the pH stable.
- Qualitative analysis: In salt analysis, you selectively precipitate certain ions by adding a common ion. For example, to test for chloride, you add AgNO₃ — the Ag⁺ is common to AgCl, so even tiny amounts of Cl⁻ will precipitate.
- Industrial processes: In the Solvay process for making sodium carbonate, the common ion effect is used to precipitate sodium bicarbonate.
A Concrete Example with Numbers
Consider the solubility of silver chloride in pure water. The Ksp of AgCl is 1.8×10−10.
In pure water:
Ksp=[Ag+][Cl−]=s2=1.8×10−10
s=1.8×10−10=1.34×10−5 M
Now, what if the solution already contains 0.10 M NaCl (from a separate source)? The Cl⁻ concentration is now 0.10 M (plus a tiny bit from AgCl). Let s be the new solubility of AgCl: …
The key idea is the Common Ion Effect: the solubility of H₂S is suppressed in acidic solution, giving a fixed [S2−] of 1.0×10−19 M in 0.1 M HCl.
Step 1: Find the final concentration of S2− after mixing.
Total volume after mixing = 10+5=15 mL.
Dilution factor for S2−:
[S2−]final=1.0×10−19×1510=6.67×10−20 M
Step 2: Find the final concentration of each metal ion.
Each metal salt is 0.04 M initially; after mixing:
[M2+]final=0.04×155=1.33×10−2 M
Step 3: Compare the ionic product [M2+][S2−] with Ksp for each sulfide.
- FeS: Ksp=6.3×10−18 Ionic product = (1.33×10−2)(6.67×10−20)=8.87×10−22 …
The common ion effect from HCl suppresses H₂S dissociation, giving a fixed [S2−]=1.0×10−19 M. After mixing, the diluted metal ion concentration is 0.0133 M. Precipitation occurs only when the ionic product [M2+][S2−] exceeds the metal sulfide’s Ksp. Only CdS precipitates here.
The key to this problem is understanding that the sulphide ion concentration is not free to change — it is fixed by the common ion effect. In a 0.1 M HCl solution saturated with H₂S, the high [H+] from HCl pushes the equilibrium
H2S⇌2H++S2−
far to the left. The result is a very low, constant [S2−]=1.0×10−19 M — a value given directly in the problem. This is the concentration before any dilution.
Now, when we mix 10 mL of this sulphide solution with 5 mL of a metal salt solution, both the sulphide ion and the metal ion get diluted. We must calculate the new concentrations after mixing, then compare the ionic product [M2+][S2−] with the solubility product Ksp of each metal sulphide.
Step-by-step
1. Find the diluted concentration of sulphide ion
Total volume after mixing = 10 mL+5 mL=15 mL.
Using C1V1=C2V2:
[S2−]after=15 mL(1.0×10−19 M)(10 mL)=151.0×10−18=6.67×10−20 M
2. Find the diluted concentration of each metal ion
Each metal salt solution is 0.04 M. After mixing 5 mL of it into 15 mL total:
[M2+]after=15 mL(0.04 M)(5 mL)=150.2=0.0133 M
This is the same for all four salts.
3. Calculate the ionic product for each case
Ionic product Q=[M2+][S2−]=(0.0133)(6.67×10−20)
Q=8.87×10−22
This is the same for all four metal ions because both concentrations are identical before considering Ksp.
4. Compare with the solubility products
We need the Ksp values for the metal sulphides. From standard data:
| Metal Sulphide | Ksp |
|---|---|
| FeS | 6×10−18 |
| MnS | 2.5×10−10 |
| ZnS | 1.2×10−23 |
| CdS | 1.0×10−28 |
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.Match the following List-1 (Metal) List-2 (Maximum prescribed concentration of metal in drinking water) (ppm) A. Zn I. 5×10−2 B. Cd II. 5×10−3 C. Mn III. 5.0 D. Cu IV. 3.0 The correct answer is (A) A – III, B – IV, C – II, D – I (B) A – II, B – III, C – IV, D – I (C) A – III, B – II, C – I, D – IV (D) A – IV, B – III, C – II, D – I
›Reveal solutionSolution
This question tests knowledge of the maximum permissible concentrations of various metals in drinking water, which are set to protect public health from their toxic effects. The correct match is Zinc with 5.0 ppm, Cadmium with 5×10−3 ppm, Manganese with 5×10−2 ppm, and Copper with 3.0 ppm.
Concept and Intuition
The quality of drinking water is paramount for public health. While some metals are essential micronutrients in trace amounts, their presence above certain concentrations can be detrimental, leading to various health issues ranging from gastrointestinal distress to neurological damage and even cancer. Regulatory bodies establish maximum prescribed concentrations for these metals in drinking water to ensure its safety for consumption. These limits are based on extensive toxicological studies and risk assessments.
The unit "ppm" stands for "parts per million," which is a common way to express very dilute concentrations. For aqueous solutions, 1 ppm is approximately equivalent to 1 milligram of the substance per liter of water (1 ppm≈1 mg/L). The values reflect the varying toxicity levels of different metals; highly toxic metals will have much lower permissible limits.
Step-by-step Matching
Let's match each metal from List-1 with its maximum prescribed concentration from List-2, based on established drinking water quality standards.
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Zinc (Zn)
Zinc is an essential trace element, vital for many biological functions. However, excessive intake can lead to adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. While generally considered less toxic than some other heavy metals, its concentration in drinking water is still regulated.
The maximum prescribed concentration for Zinc in drinking water is 5.0 ppm.
Therefore, A matches with III.
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Cadmium (Cd)
Cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal with no known beneficial role in the human body. It is a known carcinogen and can accumulate in the kidneys and liver, causing severe damage over time. Even at very low concentrations, it poses a significant health risk, leading to bone demineralization, kidney dysfunction, and reproductive issues. Due to its extreme toxicity, its permissible limit is exceptionally low.
The maximum prescribed concentration for Cadmium in drinking water is 5×10−3 ppm.
Therefore, B matches with II.
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Manganese (Mn) …
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- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-AN1 markMCQQ.Three separate vessels (A, B and C) each contain 100 mL of distilled water. Some quantity of P4O10 (s), SiCl4 (l) and Ca3N2 (s) are added into A, B and C vessels respectively. The pH range in A, B and C respectively are (A) 0−7 ; 0−7 ; 0−7 (B) 0−7 ; 0−7 ; 7−14 (C) 7−14 ; 7−14 ; 0−7 (D) 0−7 ; 7−14 ; 7−14
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to determine the pH of each solution after the added compound reacts with water. P₄O₁₀ forms phosphoric acid (acidic, pH 0–7), SiCl₄ hydrolyzes to silicic acid and HCl (acidic, pH 0–7), and Ca₃N₂ forms calcium hydroxide and ammonia (basic, pH 7–14). Thus the correct option is (B).
Concept and Intuition
The pH of a solution depends on whether the dissolved substance produces H⁺ (acidic) or OH⁻ (basic) ions. Here, each compound reacts with water in a characteristic way:
- P₄O₁₀ is an acidic oxide; it dissolves to give phosphoric acid.
- SiCl₄ is a covalent chloride that hydrolyzes violently, releasing HCl (a strong acid) and silicic acid.
- Ca₃N₂ is an ionic nitride; it reacts with water to produce Ca(OH)₂ (a strong base) and NH₃ (a weak base).
We need to predict the pH range for each vessel.
Step-by-step reasoning
- Vessel A – P₄O₁₀ (s) in water P₄O₁₀ is the anhydride of phosphoric acid. It reacts exothermically:
P4O10+6H2O→4H3PO4
H₃PO₄ is a weak triprotic acid (first dissociation constant ~7.5×10⁻³), so the solution becomes acidic. The pH will be less than 7, in the range 0–7.
- Vessel B – SiCl₄ (l) in water SiCl₄ undergoes complete hydrolysis:
SiCl4+4H2O→Si(OH)4+4HCl
HCl is a strong acid, fully dissociating to give H⁺. Even though silicic acid is very weak, the presence of HCl makes the solution strongly acidic. Hence pH is 0–7.
- Vessel C – Ca₃N₂ (s) in water …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.The most effective coagulating agent for antimony sulphide sol is (A) Na2SO4 (B) CaCl2 (C) NH4Cl (D) Al2(SO4)3
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that antimony sulphide sol is a negatively charged colloid, so the most effective coagulating agent is the one with the cation of highest charge (Hardy–Schulze rule). Among the options, Al2(SO4)3 provides Al3+, which has the highest charge, making it the most effective coagulant.
Concept and Intuition
Colloidal particles carry a surface charge, which keeps them dispersed by electrostatic repulsion. To coagulate (precipitate) the sol, we add an electrolyte whose counterions neutralize that charge. The Hardy–Schulze rule states: the ion with the opposite charge to the colloid and the highest charge (valency) is the most effective coagulant. Antimony sulphide (Sb2S3) sol is negatively charged (the particles adsorb S2− ions from the solution). Therefore, the coagulating power depends on the cation of the added electrolyte. The higher the cation’s charge, the lower the concentration needed to cause coagulation.
Step-by-step reasoning
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Identify the charge of the sol
Antimony sulphide sol is prepared by passing H2S through a solution of antimony salt. The particles preferentially adsorb S2− ions, giving them a net negative charge. So the effective coagulating ions are cations.
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Apply the Hardy–Schulze rule
The rule says: The minimum concentration of an electrolyte required to coagulate a sol is inversely proportional to the charge (valency) of the ion that neutralizes the colloid. In other words, a trivalent cation (M3+) is far more effective than a divalent (M2+) or monovalent (M+) cation.
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Examine the cations in each option
- (A) Na2SO4 → cation: Na+ (charge +1)
- (B) CaCl2 → cation: Ca2+ (charge +2)
- (C) NH4Cl → cation: NH4+ (charge +1)
- (D) Al2(SO4)3 → cation: Al3+ (charge +3)
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Compare coagulating power …
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- TG EAPCET 2023Set ap-2023-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.At 25 ∘C the Ksp values of Ni(OH)2 and Cd(OH)2 are 2.0×10−15 and 2.5×10−14 respectively. If S1 and S2 are respectively their molar solubilities, then the ratio of S1 to S2 is (A) 3:8 (B) 4:3 (C) 25:2 (D) 2:25
›Reveal solutionSolution
For M(OH)2, Ksp=4S3, so S13:S23=Ksp,1:Ksp,2=2:25 — the key's marked ratio (D).
For a hydroxide M(OH)2→M2++2OH−:
Ksp=[M2+][OH−]2=S(2S)2=4S3⇒S=(4Ksp)1/3
The factor 4 cancels when the two solubilities are compared, so: …
- TG EAPCET 2023Set ap-2023-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.The solubility of calcium fluoride in saturated solution, if its solubility product is 3.2×10−11 is (A) 4.1×10−4 M (B) 4.0×10−4 M (C) 1.5×10−4 M (D) 2.0×10−4 M
›Reveal solutionSolution
For a sparingly soluble salt like CaFX2 that dissociates into three ions, the solubility s is related to Ksp by Ksp=4s3. Solving 3.2×10−11=4s3 gives s=2.0×10−4 M, which matches option (D).
The key here is to recognise that calcium fluoride does not dissociate in a 1:1 ratio. Many students instinctively treat every salt as if it gives two ions, but that only works for salts like AgCl or BaSOX4. For CaFX2, one formula unit produces one CaX2+ ion and two FX− ions. That changes the relationship between solubility and solubility product entirely.
Let the molar solubility of CaFX2 be s mol/L. That means in a saturated solution, s moles of CaFX2 dissolve per litre.
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Write the dissociation equilibrium
CaFX2(s)CaX2+(aq)+2FX−(aq)
From s mol/L of CaFX2 that dissolve, we get [CaX2+]=s and [FX−]=2s.
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Write the expression for Ksp
Ksp=[CaX2+][FX−]2
Substitute the concentrations: Ksp=(s)(2s)2=s⋅4s2=4s3.
For a salt AXxBXy, Ksp=xxyysx+y. For CaFX2 (x=1, y=2), this gives Ksp=11⋅22⋅s3=4s3.
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Plug in the given value
3.2×10−11=4s3
s3=43.2×10−11=0.8×10−11=8.0×10−12
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Take the cube root
s=38.0×10−12
8.0=23, so 38.0=2
310−12=10−4 …
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- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-14-AN1 markMCQQ.At 298 K the molar solubility of Cd(OH)2 in 0.1M KOH solution is x×10−y. The values of x and y are respectively (at 298 K, Ksp of Cd(OH)2 = 2.5×10−14) (A) 2.5, 14 (B) 25, 13 (C) 25, 14 (D) 2.5, 16
›Reveal solutionSolution
The common ion effect from 0.1 M OH⁻ suppresses the dissolution of Cd(OH)₂, so the molar solubility is found by solving the Ksp expression with [OH⁻] ≈ 0.1 M, giving solubility = 2.5 × 10⁻¹³ M, so x = 2.5 and y = 13.
Concept & Intuition
Cd(OH)₂ is a sparingly soluble salt. In pure water, its solubility is determined by the equilibrium
Cd(OH)2(s)⇌Cd2+(aq)+2OH−(aq)
with Ksp=[Cd2+][OH−]2. However, here we dissolve it in 0.1 M KOH, which already provides a high concentration of OH⁻ ions. This is a classic common ion effect problem: the presence of OH⁻ from KOH shifts the equilibrium far to the left, drastically reducing the solubility compared to pure water. The key insight is that the OH⁻ concentration from the dissolved Cd(OH)₂ is negligible compared to 0.1 M, so we can treat [OH⁻] as essentially constant at 0.1 M. Then the Ksp expression directly gives the Cd²⁺ concentration, which equals the molar solubility.
Step-by-step solution
- Write the solubility equilibrium and Ksp expression
Cd(OH)2(s)⇌Cd2+(aq)+2OH−(aq)
Ksp=[Cd2+][OH−]2=2.5×10−14
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Identify the initial concentration of OH⁻
KOH is a strong base, fully dissociated: 0.1 M KOH gives [OH−]initial=0.1 M.
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Let the molar solubility of Cd(OH)₂ be s mol/L
This means s moles of Cd(OH)₂ dissolve per liter, producing s mol/L of Cd²⁺ and 2s mol/L of additional OH⁻.
So total [OH−]=0.1+2s.
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Apply the common ion approximation
Because Ksp is very small, s will be tiny compared to 0.1. Thus 0.1+2s≈0.1. This is the crucial simplification — without it, we’d have a cubic equation, but the approximation is excellent here.
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Substitute into the Ksp expression
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-05-FN1 markMCQQ.When the same quantity of electricity is passed through the aqueous solutions of the given electrolytes for the same amount of time, which metal will be deposited in maximum amount on the cathode? (A) ZnSO4 (B) FeCl3 (C) AgNO3 (D) NiCl2
›Reveal solutionSolution
The mass of metal deposited depends on its equivalent weight (molar mass ÷ n-factor). Silver has the highest equivalent weight among the options, so AgNO3 deposits the maximum mass.
When the same quantity of electricity (same charge) passes through different electrolytic cells connected in series, the amount of each substance liberated at an electrode is directly proportional to its equivalent weight. This is Faraday’s second law of electrolysis: m∝E, where E=nM, M is the molar mass of the metal, and n is the number of electrons required to reduce one ion of the metal to its elemental form.
The key insight: for a fixed charge, the metal with the largest equivalent weight will deposit the greatest mass. So we need to find E for each option.
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Identify the reduction reaction and n-factor for each metal ion:
- ZnSO4: Zn2+ + 2e− → Zn, so n=2.
- FeCl3: Fe3+ + 3e− → Fe, so n=3.
- AgNO3: Ag+ + e− → Ag, so n=1.
- NiCl2: Ni2+ + 2e− → Ni, so n=2.
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Compute equivalent weights (using approximate atomic masses: Zn = 65.4, Fe = 55.8, Ag = 107.9, Ni = 58.7 g/mol):
- Zn: E=265.4=32.7 g/eq
- Fe: E=355.8=18.6 g/eq
- Ag: E=1107.9=107.9 g/eq
- Ni: E=258.7=29.35 g/eq …
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- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-06-FN1 markMCQQ.For precipitating Fe(OH)3 sol, the best precipitating agent is (A) Na2SO4 (B) Cr(OH)3 (C) Al(OH)3 (D) Na3[Fe(CN)6]
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that Fe(OH)3 sol is a positively charged colloid, so the best coagulating agent is the one with the anion of highest charge (Hardy–Schulze rule). Among the options, Na3[Fe(CN)6] provides the [Fe(CN)6]3− ion with the greatest negative charge, making it the most effective precipitating agent.
The concept here is the Hardy–Schulze rule for coagulation of colloids. A colloidal sol is stabilized by the mutual repulsion of like-charged particles. To precipitate it, you need to add an electrolyte whose counter-ion (the ion opposite in charge to the colloid) neutralizes that surface charge. The higher the charge on that counter-ion, the lower the concentration needed to cause coagulation — this is the essence of the rule.
Now, what is the charge on Fe(OH)3 sol? Ferric hydroxide sol is typically prepared by hydrolysis of FeCl3 in hot water. The sol particles preferentially adsorb Fe3+ ions from the medium, giving them a positive charge. So the coagulating ion must be an anion (negative ion).
Let’s examine each option for the anion it provides and its charge:
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Option (A): Na2SO4 — This dissociates into 2Na+ and SO42−. The anion is sulfate with charge −2.
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Option (B): Cr(OH)3 — Chromium(III) hydroxide is itself an insoluble hydroxide, not a strong electrolyte. It does not dissociate appreciably to provide a significant concentration of anions in solution. It would not act as an effective coagulating electrolyte for a positively charged sol.
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Option (C): Al(OH)3 — Similarly, aluminium hydroxide is also an insoluble hydroxide. Like Cr(OH)3, it is not a source of free anions in solution and is a poor choice for coagulation.
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Option (D): Na3[Fe(CN)6] — Sodium ferricyanide dissociates into 3Na+ and [Fe(CN)6]3−. The anion here is the ferricyanide ion with charge −3. …
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