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Ch.17 - Applications of Aqueous Equilibria
Chapter 17, Problem 123

Calculate the molar solubility of AgI in:(a) Pure Water(b) 0.10 M NaCN: Kf for [Ag(CN)2]- is 3.0 x 10^20

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Step 1: Determine the solubility product constant (Ksp) for AgI. The dissolution of AgI in water can be represented as: AgI(s) ⇌ Ag+(aq) + I-(aq). Look up the Ksp value for AgI in a chemistry reference.
Step 2: Calculate the molar solubility of AgI in pure water. Let the molar solubility be 's'. Then, [Ag+] = s and [I-] = s. Use the expression Ksp = [Ag+][I-] to solve for 's'.
Step 3: For part (b), consider the complexation of Ag+ with CN-. The formation of the complex [Ag(CN)2]- can be represented as: Ag+(aq) + 2 CN-(aq) ⇌ [Ag(CN)2]-(aq). Use the given formation constant (Kf) to express the equilibrium condition.
Step 4: Set up the equilibrium expressions for the dissolution of AgI and the formation of the complex ion. Assume the initial concentration of CN- is 0.10 M. Use the Ksp and Kf values to write the overall equilibrium expression for the system.
Step 5: Solve the equilibrium expression to find the molar solubility of AgI in 0.10 M NaCN. This involves substituting the expressions for the concentrations of Ag+, I-, and [Ag(CN)2]- into the equilibrium equations and solving for the solubility.

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Key Concepts

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

Molar Solubility

Molar solubility refers to the maximum amount of a solute that can dissolve in a given volume of solvent at equilibrium, expressed in moles per liter (M). It is a crucial concept in understanding how solutes interact with solvents and is influenced by factors such as temperature and the presence of other ions in solution.
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Common Ion Effect

The common ion effect describes the decrease in solubility of a salt when a common ion is added to the solution. In the case of AgI, the presence of NaCN introduces CN⁻ ions, which can shift the equilibrium and reduce the solubility of AgI due to the formation of complex ions, thereby affecting the molar solubility.
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Formation Constant (Kf)

The formation constant (Kf) quantifies the stability of a complex ion in solution. For the complex ion [Ag(CN)2]⁻, a high Kf value (3.0 x 10^20) indicates that the complex is very stable, which significantly influences the solubility of AgI in the presence of CN⁻ ions, as it drives the equilibrium towards the formation of the complex and reduces the concentration of free Ag⁺ ions.
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