Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Will a precipitate occur?

Will 35.0mL of 0.0100M NaCl form a precipitate when combined
with 65.0 mL of 0.0150M AgNO3?

  • write the double displacement to identify the slightly soluble salt (the precipitate)
    • silver chloride in the example
  • determine the concentration of the ions of the slightly soluble salt using c1V1=c2V2
    • Cl and Ag in this example
    • for Cl: (0.0350L)(0.0100M)=c2(0.100L*);
      • * 35mL + 65mL = 100mL = 0.100L
  • Write the llbm equation for the slightly soluble salt then the Ksp expression
  • Use the calculated concentrations, sub into Ksp to determine a "trial K"
  • compare "trial K" to real K (from Ksp chart)
  • if trial K less than real K = no precipitate (not enough of the ions present to cause a ppt to form)
  • if trial K greater than real K = ppt (too great of an amount of the ions in the solution - excess ppts out)
Remember if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the precipitate.