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Ch.17 - Aqueous Ionic Equilibrium
Chapter 17, Problem 97b

Calculate the molar solubility of calcium hydroxide in a solution buffered at each pH. b. pH = 7

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Key Concepts

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

Molar Solubility

Molar solubility refers to the maximum amount of a solute that can dissolve in a given volume of solvent at a specific temperature, expressed in moles per liter (mol/L). For calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), which is a sparingly soluble salt, its molar solubility can be influenced by the pH of the solution, as it dissociates into calcium ions (Ca²⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
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pH and Hydroxide Ion Concentration

pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution, with lower values indicating higher acidity and higher values indicating higher basicity. In a buffered solution at pH 7, the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻) is 1 x 10⁻⁷ M. This concentration is crucial for calculating the solubility of calcium hydroxide, as the presence of additional hydroxide ions can shift the equilibrium of the dissolution reaction.
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Le Chatelier's Principle

Le Chatelier's Principle states that if a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing the conditions, the system will adjust to counteract the change and restore a new equilibrium. In the context of calcium hydroxide solubility, increasing the pH (and thus the concentration of OH⁻) will shift the dissolution equilibrium to the left, reducing the solubility of Ca(OH)2. Understanding this principle is essential for predicting how changes in pH affect solubility.
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