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Ch.17 - Additional Aspects of Aqueous Equilibria
Chapter 17, Problem 49

For each statement, indicate whether it is true or false. (c) The solubility of a slightly soluble salt is independent of the presence of a common ion. (d) The solubility product of a slightly soluble salt is independent of the presence of a common ion.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of solubility and solubility product (K_sp). Solubility refers to the amount of a substance that can dissolve in a solvent at a given temperature, while the solubility product is the equilibrium constant for the dissolution of a sparingly soluble salt.
Step 2: Consider the common ion effect. The common ion effect states that the solubility of a salt is reduced when one of its constituent ions is already present in the solution. This is because the presence of a common ion shifts the equilibrium position according to Le Chatelier's principle.
Step 3: Analyze statement (c). The solubility of a slightly soluble salt is affected by the presence of a common ion due to the common ion effect, which decreases the solubility of the salt.
Step 4: Analyze statement (d). The solubility product (K_sp) is a constant at a given temperature and is not affected by the presence of a common ion. It only depends on the temperature and the intrinsic properties of the salt.
Step 5: Conclude the truth value of each statement based on the analysis. Statement (c) is false because solubility is affected by a common ion, while statement (d) is true because K_sp is independent of the presence of a common ion.

Key Concepts

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

Solubility Product Constant (Ksp)

The solubility product constant (Ksp) is an equilibrium constant that applies to the solubility of sparingly soluble ionic compounds. It is defined as the product of the molar concentrations of the ions, each raised to the power of their coefficients in the balanced equation. Ksp is specific to a particular temperature and is used to predict the solubility of salts in solution.
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Solubility Product Constant

Common Ion Effect

The common ion effect refers to the decrease in solubility of a salt when a common ion is added to the solution. This occurs because the addition of a common ion shifts the equilibrium position according to Le Chatelier's principle, favoring the formation of the solid salt and reducing the concentration of dissolved ions. This effect is crucial in understanding how the presence of other ions influences solubility.
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Le Chatelier's Principle

Le Chatelier's principle states that if a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing the conditions, the system will adjust to counteract the change and restore a new equilibrium. In the context of solubility, adding a common ion shifts the equilibrium of the dissolution reaction, leading to decreased solubility of the salt. This principle is fundamental in predicting how changes in concentration affect chemical equilibria.
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