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Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution
Chapter 4, Problem 85b

A 4.36-g sample of an unknown alkali metal hydroxide is dissolved in 100.0 mL of water. An acid–base indicator is added, and the resulting solution is titrated with 2.50 M HCl(aq) solution. The indicator changes color, signaling that the equivalence point has been reached, after 17.0 mL of the hydrochloric acid solution has been added. (b) What is the identity of the alkali metal cation: Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, or Cs+?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Titration and Equivalence Point

Titration is a quantitative analytical method used to determine the concentration of a solute in a solution. The equivalence point occurs when the amount of titrant added is stoichiometrically equivalent to the amount of substance in the sample. In this case, the color change of the indicator signals that all the alkali metal hydroxide has reacted with the hydrochloric acid, allowing for the calculation of the hydroxide's molarity.
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Molarity and Stoichiometry

Molarity is a measure of concentration defined as the number of moles of solute per liter of solution. Stoichiometry involves the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions based on balanced equations. By knowing the molarity of the HCl solution and the volume used, one can determine the moles of HCl that reacted, which directly relates to the moles of the alkali metal hydroxide present in the sample.
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Alkali Metal Hydroxides

Alkali metal hydroxides are strong bases formed from alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) and hydroxide ions (OH-). They dissociate completely in water, producing hydroxide ions that react with acids. The identity of the alkali metal can be inferred from the mass of the hydroxide and the amount of acid used in the titration, as each metal hydroxide has a distinct molar mass that influences the total mass of the sample.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

(c) If 55.8 mL of a BaCl2 solution is needed to precipitate all the sulfate ion in a 752-mg sample of Na2SO4, what is the molarity of the BaCl2 solution?

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Textbook Question

The distinctive odor of vinegar is due to acetic acid, CH3COOH, which reacts with sodium hydroxide according to: CH3COOH1aq2 + NaOH1aq2¡ H2O1l2 + NaCH3COO1aq2 If 3.45 mL of vinegar needs 42.5 mL of 0.115 M NaOH to reach the equivalence point in a titration, how many grams of acetic acid are in a 1.00-qt sample of this vinegar?

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Textbook Question

A 4.36-g sample of an unknown alkali metal hydroxide is dissolved in 100.0 mL of water. An acid–base indicator is added, and the resulting solution is titrated with 2.50 M HCl(aq) solution. The indicator changes color, signaling that the equivalence point has been reached, after 17.0 mL of the hydrochloric acid solution has been added. (a) What is the molar mass of the metal hydroxide?

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Textbook Question

An 8.65-g sample of an unknown group 2 metal hydroxide is dissolved in 85.0 mL of water. An acid–base indicator is added and the resulting solution is titrated with 2.50 M HCl(aq) solution. The indicator changes color, signaling that the equivalence point has been reached, after 56.9 mL of the hydrochloric acid solution has been added. (b) What is the identity of the metal cation: Ca2+, Sr2+, or Ba2+?

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Textbook Question

A solution of 100.0 mL of 0.200 M KOH is mixed with a solution of 200.0 mL of 0.150 M NiSO4. (a) Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction that occurs.

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Textbook Question

A solution of 100.0 mL of 0.200 M KOH is mixed with a solution of 200.0 mL of 0.150 M NiSO4. (b) What precipitate forms?

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