Chloe Neal and Aundalynn Aljoe

Chem 2 Period 7
Due: November 6, 2020

The Determination of a
Solubility Product Constant
Abstract:
In this lab, the solubility of lead (II) chloride was determined by creating a saturated
PbCl2 solution and reacting it with a 0.5M KI solution to yield a precipitate PbI2. The mass of the
precipitate was then used to calculate the concentration (mol/L) of PbCl2 solution as well as the
Pb2+ and Cl- ions that it contains. Not including outlier values, an average experimental Ksp of
PbCl2 was then calculated using these concentrations. When the experimental Ksp, 3.470 x 10-4,
was compared to the true Ksp, 1.70 x 10-5, there was found to be an absolute error of 3.30 x 10-4
and a percent error of 1941%. This 1941% error can be primarily classified as a personal error,
but also may be a method or random error.

Discussion:
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the solubility product constant, the Ksp,
for a chemical compound. The solubility product constant is mathematically defined as the
product of a solution’s dissolved ion concentrations raised to the power of their stoichiometric
coefficients. If a Ksp is lower, its solubility is proportionately lower. On the other hand, if a Ksp
is higher, its solubility is higher as well. Ksp values are used to determine the solubility of a
compound in saturated solutions where the compound is not fully dissolved in a solvent.
This procedure will experimentally determine the Ksp of PbCl2 by first creating a
saturated solution (PbCl2(s) ⇌ Pb2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq)) of that compound. A saturated solution is
prepared from a solid compound by adding that compound to water (or another solvent), while stirring
until no more of the compound will dissolve. Then, a known amount of the PbCl2 solution will
be reacted with a KI solution (of a certain concentration) to produce a precipitate, as shown:
PbCl2(aq) + 2KI(aq)→ 2KCl(aq) + PbI2↓.
The mass of the precipitate will be used to calculate the concentration of the compound
and its dissolved ions in solution, which can then be used to determine the Ksp using the Ksp
equation:
Ksp=[Pb2+][Cl-]2
Sources:
Ksp and Equilibrium notes from Mr. Keith
https://www.chemicool.com/definition/solubility_product_ksp.html,
http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/crystal/resources%20for%20teachers/Solubility%20Product%20Constant%20of
%20Lead(II)chloride%20C12-4-13.doc

Objectives:
In this lab, you will…
1. Create a saturated solution of Lead (II) Chloride
2. Experimentally determine the Ksp of Lead (II) Chloride

Materials:
 ● PbCl2 (s) Hot Plate
● 0.5 M KI Solution Stirring Rod
● Distilled Water 100mL Graduated Cylinder
● Analytical Balance Watch Glass
● (2) 250mL Beakers Beaker Tongs
● Glass Funnel & Filter Paper Plastic Pipet
● Ring Stand & Small Iron Ring 100mL Beaker

Safety:
● Wear safety goggles at all times.
● Lead compounds are toxic. Handle with care.

Procedure:
1. With a 100 mL graduated cylinder, pour 100.0 mL of distilled water into a 250mL beaker.
2. After boiling the water, add PbCl2 until saturation has occurred and no more will
dissolve. Stir occasionally.
3. Allow cooling to room temperature.
4. Pour 25.0 mL of clear solution into a 100 mL graduated cylinder. Decant the solution to
eliminate the transfer of undissolved PbCl2. A plastic pipet may also be used if necessary.
5. Pour 25.0 mL of PbCl 2 solution from the graduated cylinder into a clean 100 mL beaker.
6. Add 20.0 mL of 0.500 M KI solution to the beaker containing the PbCl2 solution.
7. Heat the solution on a hot plate to its boiling point, while stirring occasionally.
8. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature. Allow any solid material to settle to the
bottom of the beaker.
9. Measure and record the mass of the filter paper.
10. Set up filtration apparatus. Place the glass funnel containing the folded filter paper in the
ring on the ring stand.
11. Once the precipitate has settled, carefully pour the liquid through the filter, collecting as
much precipitate as possible.
12. Discard the filtrate, and retain the filter paper containing the precipitate Pbl2.
13. Place the filter paper containing the precipitate on a watch glass in the drying oven.
Allow to dry overnight.
14. Repeat steps 5-13 for trials 2 and 3.
15. Let cool to room temperature. Measure and record the masses of the filter papers and
precipitate Pbl2.
Source:
http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/crystal/resources%20for%20teachers/Solubility%20Product%20Constant%20of%20Lead(II)chloride%20C12-4-13.doc

Cleanup:
● Be sure all compounds are filtered out and deposited in the appropriate trashes.
● Wash glassware thoroughly after the lab, allow to dry, and return all equipment back to proper locations.
Data:
Data Table 1
 Masses of Filter Papers With and Without Precipitate to Calculate Mass of Collected Precipitate

Trial Initial Mass of Filter Paper (g) Final Mass of Filter Paper and
Precipitate (g)

1 1.2056 1.7327

2 1.2000 1.6922

3 1.2085 1.8636

Given Ksp Value: 1.70 × 10-5

Analysis/Calculations/Error:
1. Mass of Collected Precipitate
a. Trial 1: 1.7327g - 1.2056g = 0.5271g Pbl2
b. Trial 2: 1.6922g - 1.2000g = 0.4922g Pbl2
c. Trial 3: 1.8636g - 1.2085 = 0.6551g Pbl2

2. Concentration of PbCl2
a. Trial 1:

0.5271gPbl2 1 mol Pbl2 1 mol PbCl2 1000mL

461.0g Pbl2 1 mol Pbl2 25.0mL 1L

= 0.04570 M PbCl2

b. Trial 2:

0.4922gPbl2 1 mol Pbl2 1 mol PbCl2 1000mL

461.0g Pbl2 1 mol Pbl2 25.0mL 1L

= 0.04270 M PbCl2
c. Trial 3:

0.6551gPbl2 1 mol Pbl2 1 mol PbCl2 1000mL

461.0g Pbl2 1 mol Pbl2 25.0mL 1L

= 0.05680 M PbCl2

3. Concentration of Pb2+
a. Trial 1:
 0.04570 M PbCl2 1 mol Pb2+

1 mol PbCl2

= 0.04570 M Pb2+
b. Trial 2:

0.04270 M PbCl2 1 mol Pb2+

1 mol PbCl2

= 0.04270 M Pb2+

c. Trial 3:

0.05680 M PbCl2 1 mol Pb2+

1 mol PbCl2

= 0.05680 M Pb2+

4. Concentration of Cl-
a. Trial 1:

0.04570 M PbCl2 2 mol Cl-

1 mol PbCl2

= 0.09140 M Cl-

b. Trial 2:

0.04270 M PbCl2 2 mol Cl-

1 mol PbCl2

= 0.08540 M Cl-
c. Trial 3:

0.05680 M PbCl2 2 mol Cl-

1 mol PbCl2

= 0.01136 M Cl-

5. Ksp of PbCl2
a. Trial 1: (0.04570M)(0.09140M)2 = 0.0003820
2
b. Trial 2: (0.04270M)(0.08540M) = 0.0003110
c. Trial 3: (0.05680M)(0.1136M)2 = 0.0007330
6. Average Ksp of PbCl2 = (0.0003820 + 0.0003110 + 0.0007380) / 3
 = 4.770 × 10-4

7. Average Ksp of PbCl2 Without Outliers = (0.0003820 + 0.0003110) / 2

= 3.470 × 10-4
8. Absolute and Percent Errors:
(Using the Ksp Value Without Outliers)

a. Ea = |xe-xt| = |3.470 × 10-4 - 1.70 × 10-5 |

= 3.3 × 10-4
b. E% = Ea / xt 100% = (3.3 × 10-4 / 1.70 × 10-5) x 100%
= 1900%

Conclusions:
Upon the completion of all necessary calculations, the average Ksp was found to be 3.470 × 10-4,
while the given Ksp was 1.70 × 10-5. After performing error calculations, it was found that there was an
absolute error of 3.3 × 10-4 and a percent error of 1941%
In this lab, there were multiple issues that could have contributed to the 1941% error. Regarding
personal errors, during the trials, some of the solid, undissolved PbCl2 from the saturated solution may
have been unintentionally transferred and collected in the filter paper. If this undissolved PbCl2 was
collected in the filter paper, then it was falsely recorded as precipitate. This would lead to a higher mass
of precipitate, which then leads to a higher concentration of PbCl2. A higher concentration of PbCl 2
means that the concentration of the Pb2+ and Cl- ions will also be increased. This will create a Ksp that is
higher than the true value. Another issue that may have affected the results is that the solution containing
the precipitate may not have been heated long enough (once again, a personal error). It was noticed that
on the trials where the solution containing the precipitate was heated for a longer period of time, there was
a lower Ksp. As precipitation forms, small impurities get trapped in the precipitate. By heating the
solution containing the precipitate, the impurities can be removed, therefore creating a lower mass of
precipitate. So, in the trials where the solution was not heated for long enough, there was too high of a
Ksp. Another possible source is the dissolved CO 2 from the atmosphere can create carbonates, which will
precipitate the lead (II) ions, causing a higher mass for the precipitate and a higher Ksp.
The results of this experiment were fairly pleasing. In order to improve the results, more trials
would be run in which it would be ensured that no undissolved PbCl2 is transferred to the filter paper and
that the solution containing the precipitate is heated for a longer period of time. By doing these trials,
hopefully data would be gained that would help to calculate a more accurate Ksp of PbCl2. From this lab,
it was learned that the Ksp of a certain chemical compound (in this case, PbCl2) can be mathematically
determined through concentration calculations involving mole ratios and solubility constant expressions.
It was also learned that since PbCl2 has a low Ksp, it is poorly soluble in water. This lab can be applied to
a real-world scenario in the sense that water sources often have small amounts of lead in them. Certain
chemicals may be added to the water to watch for precipitate formation, which would reveal the presence
of lead in the water. Precipitation can also be used to extract elements (i.e. magnesium) from seawater.

https://www.jove.com/science-education/5558/separation-of-mixtures-via-precipitation