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Ch.17 - Applications of Aqueous Equilibria
Chapter 17, Problem 117b

Is the solubility of Zn(OH)2 increased, decreased, or unchanged on addition of each of the following substances? Write a balanced net ionic equation for each dissolution reaction. (See Appendix C.6 for formulas of complex ions.) (b) KOH

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Key Concepts

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

Solubility Product Constant (Ksp)

The solubility product constant (Ksp) is a numerical value that represents the equilibrium between a solid and its ions in a saturated solution. For a sparingly soluble compound like Zn(OH)2, Ksp helps predict how changes in concentration of ions affect solubility. When a substance that shares a common ion is added, the solubility typically decreases due to the common ion effect.
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Common Ion Effect

The common ion effect refers to the decrease in solubility of a salt when a solution already contains one of the ions present in the salt. In the case of Zn(OH)2, adding KOH introduces OH- ions, which shifts the equilibrium to favor the formation of solid Zn(OH)2, thus reducing its solubility. This principle is crucial for understanding how additional ions influence solubility.
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Net Ionic Equations

A net ionic equation represents the actual chemical species that are involved in a reaction, excluding spectator ions. For the dissolution of Zn(OH)2 in the presence of KOH, the net ionic equation highlights the formation of Zn(OH)4^2- ions and the precipitation of Zn(OH)2. Writing net ionic equations is essential for clearly illustrating the chemical changes occurring in solution.
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Related Practice
Open Question
Consider saturated solutions of the slightly soluble salt AgBr. Is the solubility of AgBr increased, decreased, or unaffected by the addition of each of the following substances? (a) HBr, (b) HNO3, (c) AgNO3, (d) NH3.
Open Question
Consider saturated solutions of the slightly soluble salt BaCO3. Is the solubility of BaCO3 increased, decreased, or unaffected by the addition of each of the following substances? (a) HNO3 (b) Ba(NO3)2 (c) Na2CO3 (d) CH3CO2H
Textbook Question

Is the solubility of Zn(OH)2 increased, decreased, or unchanged on addition of each of the following substances? Write a balanced net ionic equation for each dissolution reaction. (See Appendix C.6 for formulas of complex ions.) (a) HCl

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Textbook Question

Is the solubility of Zn(OH)2 increased, decreased, or unchanged on addition of each of the following substances? Write a balanced net ionic equation for each dissolution reaction. (See Appendix C.6 for formulas of complex ions.) (c) NaCN

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Textbook Question
Is the solubility of Fe(OH)3 increased, decreased, or unchanged on addition of each of the following substances? Write a balanced net ionic equation for each dissolution reaction. (See Appendix C.6 for formulas of complex ions.) (b) NaOH(aq)
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Open Question
Silver ion reacts with excess CN- to form a colorless complex ion, [Ag(CN)2]-, which has a formation constant Kf = 3.0 x 10^20. Calculate the concentration of Ag+ in a solution prepared by mixing equal volumes of 2.0 x 10^-3 M AgNO3 and 0.20 M NaCN.