Two hypothetical salts

CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Equilibrium · Equilibrium

Problem

Two hypothetical salts,

MX(s)

and

MX_{2}(s)

, each have the same solubility‐product constant value of

K_{sp}=3.6\times10^{-6}

25\,^{\circ}\text{C}

. (a) Without performing numerical calculations, predict which salt—

MX

MX_{2}

—has the greater molar solubility in water at

25\,^{\circ}\text{C}

. (b) Justify your prediction in part (a) by referring explicitly to the stoichiometry of the dissolution processes of the two salts and the form of the

K_{sp}

expressions. (c) Let

s

represent the molar solubility of

MX

\text{mol}\,\text{L}^{-1}

. Derive an algebraic expression for the molar solubility of

MX_{2}

in terms of

s

, assuming both salts share the same

K_{sp}

value.

Related theory

Equilibrium
Chemical Equilibrium
Solubility product
Solubility Equilibria

Browse the problem library