What is the definition of Ksp in chemistry?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 11, 2016

Explanation:

Essentially, K_"sp" is another equilibrium constant, which measures the solubility of insoluble and sparingly soluble salts.

For an insoluble salt, we may represent its dissolution reaction in this fashion:

MX_2(s) rightleftharpoonsM^+ + 2X^-

And its equilibrium reaction may be quantified:

([M^+][X^-]^2)/([MX_2(s)]) = K_"sp"

But you can't have the concentration of a solid, i.e. [MX_2(s)] is removed from the equilibrium expression, to give finally:

[M^+][X^-]^2 = K_"sp"

K_"sp" values have been measured for a host of sparingly soluble and insoluble salts under standard conditions. If M^+ in the above expression were a precious metal, addition of excess X^- to solution could salt the metal out for recovery.

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