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Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium
Chapter 15, Problem 58

At 25Β°C, the reaction CaCrO4(𝑠) β‡Œ Ca2+(π‘Žπ‘ž) + CrO42βˆ’(π‘Žπ‘ž) has an equilibrium constant 𝐾𝑐 = 7.1Γ—10βˆ’4. What are the equilibrium concentrations of Ca2+ and CrO42βˆ’ in a saturated solution of CaCrO4?

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Identify the reaction and write the equilibrium expression. For the dissolution of CaCrO4, the reaction is: CaCrO4(s) β‡Œ Ca2+(aq) + CrO42βˆ’(aq). The equilibrium expression is Kc = [Ca2+][CrO42βˆ’].
Set up an ICE table (Initial, Change, Equilibrium) to track the concentrations of the ions. Initially, the concentrations of Ca2+ and CrO42βˆ’ are 0. Let x be the change in concentration of Ca2+ and CrO42βˆ’ as CaCrO4 dissolves.
At equilibrium, the concentrations of Ca2+ and CrO42βˆ’ will both be x. Substitute these values into the equilibrium expression: Kc = x * x = x^2.
Solve for x by taking the square root of both sides of the equation Kc = x^2. This gives x = sqrt(Kc).
Substitute the value of Kc (7.1Γ—10βˆ’4) into the equation for x to find the equilibrium concentrations of Ca2+ and CrO42βˆ’.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Equilibrium Constant (Kc)

The equilibrium constant (Kc) is a numerical value that expresses the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium for a given reaction at a specific temperature. For the reaction CaCrOβ‚„(s) β‡Œ Ca²⁺(aq) + CrO₄²⁻(aq), Kc indicates how far the reaction favors the formation of products. A small Kc value, like 7.1Γ—10⁻⁴, suggests that at equilibrium, the concentration of reactants is much higher than that of products.
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Saturated Solution

A saturated solution is a solution that contains the maximum concentration of a solute that can dissolve at a given temperature and pressure. In the context of the reaction, a saturated solution of CaCrOβ‚„ means that the solution has reached a point where no more CaCrOβ‚„ can dissolve, and the concentrations of Ca²⁺ and CrO₄²⁻ ions are at their equilibrium values, determined by the Kc of the reaction.
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ICE Table (Initial, Change, Equilibrium)

An ICE table is a tool used to organize the initial concentrations, changes in concentrations, and equilibrium concentrations of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. For the given reaction, the ICE table helps to set up the relationship between the initial concentration of CaCrOβ‚„, the changes in concentrations of Ca²⁺ and CrO₄²⁻ as the system reaches equilibrium, and ultimately allows for the calculation of their equilibrium concentrations using the Kc value.
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