Solubility Product Problems

1. What is the solubility of lead chromate in moles per dm3 at 25 °C?

(Ksp for PbCrO4 = 2.8 x 10-13 mol2/dm6)

• Solution:
• PbCrO4 === Pb+2 + CrO4-2
• For this reaction:
• Ksp = [Pb+3][CrO4-2]
• 2.8 x 10-13 = (x) (x)
• 2.8 x 10-13 = x2
• x = √ 2.8 x 10-13
• x = 5.29 x 10-7 mole/dm3 at 25°C
• Molarity = x = 5.29 x 10-7 mole/dm3 at 25°C
• We know that:
• Solubility = Molarity x Molecular Mass
• But the molecular mass pf PbCrO4 = 207 + 52 + 4 x 16 = 323
• Solubility = 5.29 x 10-7 x 323
• Solubility = 1.708 x 10-4 g/dm3
• Hence the solubility of PbCrO4 at 25°C is 1.708 x 10-4 g/dm3
2. The solution of Mg(OH)2 at 25°C is 0.00764 g/dm3. What is the
solubility product of Mg(OH)2?

• Solution:
• Mg(OH)2 === Mg2+ + 2OH-
• Solubility of Mg(OH)2= 0.00764 g/dm3
• Conc. of Mg(OH)2 = Solubility/Molar mass
• Conc. of Mg(OH)2 = 0.00764/58 = 1.3 x 10-4 mol/dm3
• Now,
• [Mg2+] = 1.3 x 10-4 mol/dm3
• [OH-] = 2 x (1.3 x 10-4 mol/dm3)
• [OH-] = 2.6 x 10-4 mol/dm3
• Hence,
• Ksp = [Mg+2][OH-]2
• Ksp = [1.3 x 10-4 mol/dm3][2.6 x 10-4 mol/dm3]2
• Ksp = 8.8 x 10-12 mol3/dm-9
• Hence the solubility product of Mg (OH)2 at 25°C is 8.8 x 10-12
mol3/dm-9
Q: Will cadmium hydroxide precipitate from 0.01 M solution of CdCl2 at
pH = 9? [Ksp of Cd(OH)2 is 2.5 x 10-14 mol3dm-9 ]
• Solution: • By definition of pH
• Given that, • pOH = - log[OH-]
• [Cd+2] = 0.01 M • - log [OH-] = 5
• Ksp = 2.5 x 10-14 mol3dm-9 • [OH-] = antilog [ - 5 ]
• pH = 9 • [OH-] = antilog [ - 5 ]
• As we know that, • [OH-] = 10-5 M
• pH + pOH = 14 • Hence,
• 9 + pOH = 14 • Ionic Product = [Cd+2] [OH-]2
• Ionic Product = [0.01] [10-5]2
• pOH = 14 – 9 = 5
• Ionic Product = 1 x 10-12 mol3dm-6
Answer: Since the ionic product is greator than the Ksp
i.e. 1 x 10-12 > 2.5 x 10-14 , Thus Cd(OH)2 will precipitate out from 0.01 M solution.