7.

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TOPIC: 7.12 COMMON ION EFFECT

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:
SPQ-5 The dissolution of a salt is a reversible process that can be influenced by environmental factors such as pH or
other dissolved ions.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
SPQ-5.B Identify the solubility of a salt, and/or the value of Ksp for the salt, based on the concentration of a common ion
already present in solution.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE:
SPQ-5.B.1 The solubility of a salt is reduced when it is dissolved into a solution that already contains one of the ions
present in the salt. The impact of this “common-ion effect” on solubility can be understood qualitatively using
Le Châtelier’s principle or calculated from the Ksp for the dissolution process.
EQUATION(S):
N/A

NOTES:
Common ion problems are a way of applying Le Châtelier’s principle to a Ksp problem. When a slightly soluble solid
is added to a solution that contains one of the same ions as the solid, less of the solid will dissolve than it would
into a solution that does not contain an ion that is in common with the solid.

Consider a solution of zinc hydroxide which has some precipitate present. With all Ksp style problems, always start
by writing the dissociation equation (solid ⇌ ions) and the Ksp expression.
Zn(OH)2(s) ⇌ Zn2+ (aq) + 2 OH- (aq)

Ksp = [Zn2+][OH-]2 = 3.0 x 10-17

Qualitatively, we know that if we were to add either of the ions to the solution (for example by adding Zn(NO3)2 or
NaOH) then the reaction will have to shift to the reactants (the left). On a macroscopic level, this means that there
will be more precipitate forming.

We can also look at this quantitatively. One way to approach this type of question is to use an ICE table to organize
your information.

How do we calculate the molar solubility of Zn(OH)2 in a solution of 0.10 M NaOH? Notice that both solutions
include the OH- ion; this is what they have in COMMON, which is what makes this a common ion problem.

Zn(OH)2(s) Zn2+ (aq) 2 OH- (aq)

Some amount of
Initial 0 0.10 M
solid
Change/Coefficient -x +x +2x

Equilibrium x 0.10 +2x

Since this is a solid, we We start by assuming that no Since NaOH contains a soluble ion,
don’t need to pay solid has dissolved yet; the Na+, we know that the [OH-] will be
attention to this part! reaction will proceed forwards. the same as the NaOH concentration.

Now we can plug these concentrations (in terms of x) at equilibrium into the Ksp expression and solve to find the
numerical value for the concentrations of the components at equilibrium. There are two approaches to solving this
type of problem. If you have a graphing calculator, you can use graph or use the solver function to find the value of
x. It is useful to be able to approximate the value if you do not have a graphing calculator; this is referred to as the
assumption-based method (or the 5% rule) below.

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 7.12
Standard way of solving Assumption based solving:
Ksp = [Zn2+][OH-]2 = 3.0 x 10-17 Ksp = [Zn2+][OH-]2 = 3.0 x 10-17
[x][0.10+2x]2 = 3.0 x 10-17 [x][0.10+2x]2 = 3.0 x 10-17

Which you can then solve by graphing or using the Based on the very small Ksp value, x must be VERY
solve function on your calculator. small, so we can say the following:

x = 3.0 x 10-15 M = [Zn2+] = Molar Solubility of Zn(OH)2 Assume: 𝑥 ≪ 5% 𝑜𝑓 0.10 ∴ 0.10 + 2𝑥 ≅ 0.10

[x][0.10]2 = 3.0 x 10-17

0.01 x = 3.0 x 10-17
x = 3.0 x 10 M = [Zn2+] = Molar Solubility of Zn(OH)2
-15

Assumption is good.

Typically the common ion is added to a solution using one of the “always aqueous” ions; these are the SNAP ions,
sodium, Na+, nitrate, NO3-, ammonium, NH4+, and potassium, K+.

I DO:
Write a balanced chemical equation for the dissolution of calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2(s) in pure water.
Ca(OH)2(s) ⇌ Ca2+(aq) + 2 OH-(aq)
Calculate the molar solubility of Ca(OH)2 when it is dissolved in a 0.20 M calcium nitrate, Ca(NO3)2, solution. The
Ksp of Ca(OH)2 is 1.3 x10-6)
Ksp = [Ca2+][OH-]2
1.3 x10-6 = [Ca2+][OH-]2
Complete an ICE table allowing x to represent the amount of Ca(OH)2 that can dissolve.
Ca(OH)2(s) Ca2+(aq) 2 OH-(aq)
Initial 0.20 M 0
Change +x +2x
Equilibrium 0.20 + x 2x
If you use a 1.3 x10 -6 = [0.20 + x][ 2x]2

graphing calculator Assume that x << 0.20, therefore 0.20+x = 0.20

to solve, you can 1.3 x10-6 = [0.20][ 2x]2
skip the steps in 1.3 x10-6 = [0.20]4x2
the middle. 1.3 x10-6 = 0.80x2
1.3 x10-6 = 0.80x2
1.6 x10-6 = x2
0.0013 M= x

WE DO:
What would the molar solubility of a silver chloride, AgCl, solution be if the solution is also
0.00100 M for sodium chloride? Ksp of AgCl is 1.80 x 10-10.

x= 0.000018 M

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 7.12
YOU DO:
1) What is the molar solubility of calcium fluoride, CaF2, in a solution of 0.25 M calcium nitrate, Ca(NO3)2
solution?
Ksp for calcium fluoride is 3.45 x 10-11.

x=6*10^-6 M

2) The Ksp for CaCO3 is 6.0 x10-9. Calculate the molar solubility when it is dissolved in:
A) Water

1.4*10^-3 M

B) 0.10 M Ca(NO3)2
1.2*10^-4

3) What is the concentration of fluoride ions when it is dissolved in a solution containing 0.0500 M of Sr2+
ions?
SrF2(s) ⇌Sr2+(aq) + 2F-(aq) KSP = 4.33 x10-9

x=1.47*10^-4

4) Students were asked to make 1.00 L saturated solutions of lead (II) fluoride, PbF2 (KSP = 3.3 x10-8)
A) One student used distilled water to make the solution. What was the lead ion concentration in that
solution?

x=2*10^-3

B) Another student used tap water to make the solution, they didn’t account for the fact that their city
add fluoride to the water to help protect people’s teeth from cavities. The concentration of fluoride
1.0 mg/liter. (Molar mass of F- = 19.00 g/mol) What was the lead ion concentration in that
solution?
x- 2*10^-3 M nearly same concentration since amount of fluoride added was a negligible amount

C) The final student used a beaker that was contaminated with 0.25 grams of lead (II) nitrate crystals.
(Molar mass = 331.2 g/mol) What was the lead ion concentration in that solution?

x=2*10^-3 since amount of concentration of lead added is a minuscule amount