Academic Integrity: tutoring, explanations, and feedback — we don’t complete graded work or submit on a student’s behalf.

17.99 The solubility of CaCO, is pH dependent. (a) Calculate the molar solubilit

ID: 1036791 • Letter: 1

Question

17.99 The solubility of CaCO, is pH dependent. (a) Calculate the molar solubility of CaCO, (Kp 4.5 X 109) neglecting the acid-base character of the carbonate ion. (b) Use the Kb expression for the CO, ion to determine the equilibrium constant for the reaction CaCO3(s) + H2O(1) (c) If we assume that the only sources of Ca2+,HC03, and OH ions are from the dissolution of CaCOs, what is the mo- lar solubility of CaCO, using the equilibrium expression from part (b)? (d) What is the molar solubility of CaCO; at the pH of the ocean (8.3)? (e) If the pH is buffered at 7.5, what is the molar solubility of CaCO3?

Explanation / Answer

(a) The dissociation of CaCO3 is given as

CaCO3 (s) <=====> Ca+ (aq) + CO32- (aq)

Ksp = [Ca2+][CO32-] ……..(1)

=====> 4.5*10-9 = (x).(x) (1:1 ionization of CaCO3)

=====> x2 = 4.5*10-9

=====> x = 6.708*10-5 ? 6.71*10-5

The molar solubility of CaCO3 in water (ignoring acid-base character of CO32-) is 6.7*10-5 M (ans).

(b) Consider the ionization of H2CO3 as below.

H2CO3 (aq) -------> H+ (aq) + HCO3- (aq); Ka1 = 4.3*10-7

HCO3- (aq) --------> H+ (aq) + CO32- (aq); Ka2 = 4.8*10-11

Given CO32- participates in acid-base reaction, we can write the reaction as

CO32- (aq) + H2O (l) --------> HCO3- (aq) + OH- (aq)

Kb = Kw/Ka2 = [HCO3-][OH-]/[CO32-]

=====> Kb = [HCO3-][OH-]/[CO32-] = (1.0*10-14)/(4.8*10-11) = 2.08*10-4 ? 2.1*10-4 ……(2)

The equilibrium constant for the given reaction is given as

K = [Ca2+][HCO3-][OH-] = ([Ca2+][CO32-])*([HCO3-][OH-]/[CO32-])

= Ksp*Kb = (4.5*10-9)*(2.1*10-4) = 9.45*10-13 (ans).

(c) Let S be the solubility of CaCO3 in water (consider acid-base character of CO32- now).

CaCO3 (s) + H2O (l) <=====> Ca2+ (aq) + CO32- (aq) + OH- (aq)

                                                   S                 S                  S

We have

Ksp = [Ca2+][CO32-][OH-]

=====> 4.5*10-9 = S*S*S = S3

=====> S = 1.65*10-3

The molar solubility of CaCO3 (consider the acid-base character of CO32-) is 1.65*10-3 M (ans).

(d) The pH of ocean water is pH = 8.3; therefore,

pOH = 14 – pH = 14 – 8.3 = 5.7

Therefore, [OH-] = antilog (-5.7) = 1.99*10-6

Let S be the solubility of CaCO3 in water; therefore, we have

Ksp = S*(S – x) where x = concentration of CO32- reacted with H2O ……(3)

Again, we have,

CO32- (aq) + H2O (l) --------> HCO3- (aq) + OH- (aq)

(S – x)                                        x                 1.99*10-6

Kb = (x).(1.99*10-6)/(S – x)

=====> 2.1*10-4 = (x).(1.99*10-6)/(S – x)

=====> x/(S – x) = 2.1*10-4/(1.99*10-6) = 105.528

=====> x = 105.528*(S – x)

=====> x = 105.528S – 105.528x

=====> 106.528x = 105.528*S

=====> x = 105.528/106.528*S = 0.99S …….(3)

Put in (3) and get

4.5*10-9 = S*(S – x) = S*(S – 0.99S) = S*(0.01*S)

=====> 4.5*10-9 = 0.01*S2

=====> S2 = 4.5*10-9/0.01 = 4.5*10-7

=====> S = 6.71*10-4

The molar solubility of CaCO3 in ocean water is 6.71*10-4 M (ans).

Hire Me For All Your Tutoring Needs
Integrity-first tutoring: clear explanations, guidance, and feedback.
Drop an Email at
drjack9650@gmail.com
Chat Now And Get Quote