DETERMINATION OF THE SOLUBILITY PRODUCT

CONSTANT OF CALCIUM HYDROXIDE

R. CABASAN
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD, SCIENCE AND NUTRITION, COLLEGE OF HOME ECONOMICS
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY 1101, PHILIPPINES
DATE SUBMITTED: 24 SEPTEMBER 2014
DATE PERFORMED: 17 SEPTEMBER 2014

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ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

1. Write the net ionic reaction for the precipitation of Ca(OH)2 and give the
Ksp expression of the reaction.

Ca(OH)2(s) Ca2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq)

Ksp= [Ca2+][OH-]
2. What is the working equation for the determination of the [Ca2+] in the
saturated solution of Ca(OH)2?

3. Write the Ksp of Ca(OH)2 in terms of its (a) molar solubility s, (b) [OH-], and
(c) [Ca2+].

Ca(OH)2(s) Ca2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq)

+x

+2x

+x

+2x

(a) Ksp= [Ca2+][OH-]

= (x)(2x)2
=4x3
Ksp=4s3
(b)[Ca2+] = s =
Ksp= 4s3 = 4()3

(c) [Ca2+] = s
Ksp= 4s3= 4([Ca2+])3

4. Discuss the effects of common ions and increasing ionic strength on the
solubility of the Ca(OH)2 precipitate. Do they coincide with theoretical
effects? Explain.

The solubility of the Ca(OH)2 precipitate decreased when it was

added to Ca(NO3). This is an example of a common-ion effect,
which happens when a soluble compound containing a common ion
(which in this case is Ca2+) is added to the solution [1].

As the ionic strength increases, the solubility increases. This is due

to the diverse-ion effect [2]. The increased attraction between ions
decreases their concentration, thus resulting to an increase in
solubility.
5. What are the possible sources of errors and their effect on the calculated
parameters? Rationalize.

The possible sources of errors are the presence of bubbles in the

burette, overtitration, and the solution preparation. The presence of
bubbles in the burette will decrease the molarity of HCl. Meanwhile,
overtitration will result to a higher calculated molarity compared to
the expected molarity. Errors in the solution preparation can affect
the calculated parameters in various ways.
Sources:

[1]Douglas A. Skoog, D. M. (2004). Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry. Mary Finch.

[2]Petrucci, P.H., Herring, F.G., Madura, J.D. and Bissonnette C.: General Chemistry,
Principlesand Modern Application, 10th Ed. Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2010