If equal volumes of AB2 and XY (both are salts) aqueous solutions are mixed, which of the following combination will give a precipitate of AY2 at 300 K ? (Given Ksp (at 300 K) for AY2 = 5.2 10-7)
- 2.0 10-4 M AB2, 0.8 10-3 M XY
- 2.0 10-2 M AB2, 2.0 10-2 M XY
- 1.5 10-4 M AB2, 1.5 10-3 M XY
- 3.6 10-3 M AB2, 5.0 10-4 M XY
Answer
(2) 2.0 10-2 M AB2, 2.0 10-2 M XY
Solution
On mixing equal volumes, each concentration is halved.
AB2 A2+ + 2B- and XY X+ + Y-
Precipitation of AY2 occurs when ionic product Q = [A2+][Y-]2 > Ksp = 5.2 10-7
(1) Q = (1.0 10-4)(0.4 10-3)2 = 1.6 10-11 < Ksp
(2) Q = (1.0 10-2)(1.0 10-2)2 = 1.0 10-6 > Ksp precipitate forms
(3) Q = (0.75 10-4)(0.75 10-3)2 4.2 10-11 < Ksp
(4) Q = (1.8 10-3)(2.5 10-4)2 1.1 10-10 < Ksp
Answer: (2)