In: Chemistry
A mixture of solution contains 0.060M Ca2+ and 0.040M Ag+. Which one precipitates first by adding SO4 2- (sulfate). Can 99% of Ca2+ be precipitated by sulfate without precipitating Ag+?. (given Ksp values for CaSO4 = 4.93 x 10^-5 and Ag2SO4= 1.2 x 10^-5). The Ksp values in this question are hypothetical values.
The salt with lower Ksp value will precipitate
first.
Ksp = [Ag+]2
[SO42-] , once this ion product concentration
value crosses Ksp then it
precipitates immediately
Ksp = [Ca+2]
[SO42-]
4.93*10-5 = 0.060 * [SO42-]
[SO42-] = 8.2167*10-4 M
Now calculate the product of [Ag+]2
[SO42-]
[Ag+]2 [SO42-] =
0.0402 * 8.2167*10-4 =
1.3146*10-6
Since this ion product concentration did not exceed Ksp
it will not precipitate first
Hence CaSO4 will precipitate first.
Ca+2 will be precipitated completely by sulfate before
the Ag+ precipitation begins
So, Yes 99% of Ca2+ be precipitated by sulfate without
precipitating Ag+