AB + CD <---> A + BC + D
[A] [BC] [D]
K = ---------------
[AB] [CD]
As you can see the numerator (top of the fraction) is the
mathematical product of the chemical concentrations of the
products of the reaction. The denominator (bottom of the
fraction) is the mathematical product of the chemical
concentrations of the reactants of the reaction. Two other ways
of remembering the proper positions are:
Products concentrations from the right side
K = ------------ and K = ----------------------------------
Reactants concentrations from the left side
Additionally, each concentration must be raised to the power
of its coefficient (the number in front of the chemical name).
AND THOSE CHEMICALS WHICH APPEAR IN THE REACTION AS SOLIDS OR
LIQUIDS, DO NOT APPEAR IN THE K EXPRESSION.For example:
Ca(OH)2(s) + 2H+(aq) <---> Ca2+(aq) + 2H2O(l)
[Ca2+]
Kc = ---------
[H+]2
The following K's will be discussed:Kc - a CONCENTRATION constant. All terms are expressed in [ ] s.
Kp - a PRESSURE constant. All terms are expressed in pressures ( can be torr, atm, Pa)
Kw - a special concentration constant for WATER.
Kw = [H3O+] [OH-] = [H+] [OH-] = 1 x 10-14
Ka - an concentration constant for an ACID. All terms are expressed in [ ]s.
Kb - a concentration constant for a BASE. ALl terms are expressed in [ ]s.
Ksp - a concentration constant for the SOLUBILITY PRODUCT of a solid dissolved in pure water. All terms are expressed in [ ]s.
Kcomp - a concentration constant for complexes which can form with ions which are in solution.
The molar solubility is the solubility of the solid in moles per liter. The molar solubility can also be described as the amount of the solid in moles which dissolves in aqueous solution. A small "s" is used to indicate the molar solubility.
A simple salt dissolving in water: PbCrO4(s) Ksp = 2.8 x 10-13 M2
The reaction is:
PbCrO4(s) <---> Pb2+(aq) + CrO42-(aq)
Ksp = [Pb2+] [CrO42-]
In pure water 1 mole of PbCrO4(s) dissolves and releases 1 mole of Pb2+(aq) and 1 mole of CrO42-(aq).
Let "s" be the molar solubility of PbCrO4(s). Since the dissolution is 1 to 1, "s" also equals the concentrations of Pb2+ and CrO42-.
Substituting:
Ksp = (s)(s) = 2.8 x 10-13 M2
s2 = 2.8 x 10-13 M2
s = 5.3 x 10-7 M
Therefore at equilibrium:
[Pb2+] = 5.3 x 10-7 M = [CrO42-]
Note: For a compound (chemical) of the generic formula XY
Ksp = s2
s = Ksp1/2
Example 2:
A more complex chemical: Ca(OH)2(s) Ksp = 5.5 x 10-6 M3
1. Write the reaction.
Ca(OH)2(s) <---> Ca2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq)
2. Write the Ksp expression.
Ksp = [Ca2+] [OH-]2
3. Let "s" equal the solubility of Ca(OH)2(s).4. Therefore [Ca2+] = s and, from the stoichiometry, [OH-] = 2s. Substituting into the Ksp expression:
Ksp = (s) (2s)2 = 5.5 x 10-6 M3
(s) (4s2) = 5.5 x 10-6 M3
4s3 = 5.5 x 10-6 M3
s3 = 1.4 x 10-6 M3
s = 1.1 x 10-2 M
So [Ca2+] = 1.1 x 10-2 M and [OH-] = 2(1.1 x 10-2 M) = 2.2 x 10-2 M
Note: For a compound (chemical) of the generic formula XY2 or X2Y
Ksp = 4s3
ì Ksp ö1/3
s = ï-----ï
î 4 þ
Example 3:
Use Al(OH)3(s) which has a Ksp = 1.3 x 10-33 M4
1. Write the chemical reaction.
Al(OH)3(s) <---> Al3+(aq) + 3OH-(aq)
2. Write the Ksp expression.
Ksp = [Al3+] [OH-]3
3. Let "s" equal the molar solubility of Al(OH)3(s).
From the reaction stoichiometry:
[Al3+] = s and [OH-] = 3s
Substitute into the Ksp expression:
Ksp = (s)(3s)3 = 1.3 x 10-33 M4
(s)(27s3) = 1.3 x 10-33 M4
27s4 = 1.3 x 10-33 M4
s4 = 4.8 x 10-35 M4
s = 2.6 x 10-9 M
So [Al3+] = 2.6 x 10-9 M
and
[OH-] = 3(2.6 x 10-9 M) = 7.8 x 10-9 M
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Note: For a compound (chemical) of the generic formula XY3 or X3Y
Ksp = 27s4
ì Ksp ö1/4
s = ï-----ï
î 27 þ
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If you know the molar solubility, you can calculate the Ksp of
the solid.
Example 1:
The molar solubility, s, of PbSO4(s) is 1.3 x 10-4 M.
Since PbSO4(s) is a compound of the generic formula, XY, we
would use the Ksp relationship shown in the note for the first
example.
Ksp = s2
Ksp = (1.3 x 10-4 M)2
= 1.6 x 10-8 M2
Example 2:
The molar solubility, s, of CaF2(s) is 1.1 x 10-3 M.
CaF2(s) is of the generic formula XY2 so we would use the Ksp
expression shown in the note section of Example 2.
Ksp = 4s3
Ksp = 4(1.1 x 10-3 M)3
= 5.3 x 10-9 M3
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An additional note:
For a compound of the generic formula X2Y3 or X3Y2:
Ksp = 108s5
ì Ksp ö1/5
s = ï-----ï
î 108 þ
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