Chemistry 26.

1: Introduction to Quantitative Chemical Analysis Laboratory

2nd Semester AY1819

Name:
Section: Chem 26.1 WFX/WFUV2-1

EXPERIMENT #5
DETERMINATION OF THE SOLUBILITY PRODUCT CONSTANT OF CALCIUM
HYDROXIDE

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:
1. Describe the equilibrium dissociation of Ca(OH)2. Elaborate on the solubility product
constant (Ksp) and molar solubility (s).

Calcium hydroxide will dissociate into calcium and 2 moles of hydroxide as shown in
the equation below.
Ca(OH)2 → Ca2+ + 2 OH-
Its solubility product will be equal to the product of the solubility of calcium and the
square of the solubility of hydroxide. The solubility product constant states the level of
solubility of a compound. The higher the solubility product constant, the more soluble
the compound (1).

2. What is the Ksp expression for Ca(OH)2, how was the Ksp determined through the
experiment conducted. What about s.
The Ksp expression for calcium hydroxide is:
Ksp = [Ca2+][OH-]2

The Ksp expression is derived from its balanced chemical equation. In this
experiment, the Ksp was obtained through titration where [Ca2+] and [OH-]2 are
equilibrium concentrations of calcium and hydroxide ions. The molar solubility (s) is
equal to the equilibrium concentration of [Ca2+] which can be derived from the ICE table.

3. 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.

Common ion effect and the increase in ionic strength should be taken into
consideration when determining solubility. Common ions shift the direction of the
reaction to the reactants side by adding a product in the form of the common ion.
Therefore, this phenomenon contributes to a lower computed Ksp as observed in the
common ion effect table in the data sheet.

Increasing the ionic strength on the solubility of calcium hydroxide increases the
computed Ksp. Because the precipitate’s ionic strength is increased, its ability to bond with
the solvent is also increased. This phenomena is also reflected by the experiment as seen
on the increasing trend of average Ksp from the fourth table onwards in the data sheet.
4. What are the possible sources of errors and their effect on the calculated parameters?
Rationalize.
 Personal error: Parallax error during solution preparation; incorrect measuring device.
Affects calculated molarity, solubility and solubility product constant
 Instrumental Error: Errors in analytical balance reading due to vibrations.
Affects molarity, solubility and Ksp calculations

REFERENCES:
(1) Brown, T.; LeMay, H.; Bursten, B.; Murphy, C.; Woodward, P.; Stoltzfus, M.
Chemistry.

APPENDIX: