The Ksp of Ag2CrO4, AgCl, AgBr and AgI are respectively, 1.1 10-12, 1.8 10-10, 5.0 10-13, 8.3 10-17. Which one of the following salts will precipitate last if AgNO3 solution is added to the solution containing equal moles of NaCl, NaBr, NaI and Na2CrO4?
- AgBr
- Ag2CrO4
- AgI
- AgCl
Answer
(2) Ag2CrO4
Solution
A salt starts to precipitate when the ionic product just exceeds its Ksp. The salt that needs the largest [Ag+] precipitates last.
Let each anion have the same concentration, say 0.1 M.
AgI: [Ag+] = 8.3 10-170.1 = 8.3 10-16 M
AgBr: [Ag+] = 5.0 10-130.1 = 5.0 10-12 M
AgCl: [Ag+] = 1.8 10-100.1 = 1.8 10-9 M
Ag2CrO4: [Ag+]2[CrO42-] = Ksp
⇒ [Ag+] = 1.1 10-120.1 = 3.3 10-6 M
∴ Ag2CrO4 needs the highest [Ag+] and precipitates last.
Answer: (2)