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Equilibrium

Question
CBSEENCH11006599

How does the concept of solubility product help in finding out the solubility of sparingly soluble salts?

Solution
The concept of solubility product is helpful in finding out the solubility of the sparingly soluble salts in water if their Ksp values are known. For example, let AB be a sparingly soluble salt and suppose S mol L–1 be the solubility of AB.
stack AB left parenthesis straight s right parenthesis with straight S space mol space straight L to the power of minus below space space space rightwards harpoon over leftwards harpoon with Water on top space space stack straight A to the power of plus left parenthesis aq right parenthesis with straight S space mol space straight L to the power of negative 1 end exponent below space plus space stack straight B to the power of minus left parenthesis aq right parenthesis with straight S space mol space straight L to the power of negative 1 end exponent below
Applying the law of solubility equilibrium,
   straight K subscript sp space equals space open square brackets straight A to the power of plus close square brackets space open square brackets straight B to the power of minus close square brackets
space space straight K subscript sp space equals space straight S space cross times space straight S
  or space space space straight S squared space space equals space straight K subscript sp
therefore space space straight S space equals space square root of straight K subscript sp end root
Knowing the solubility product Ksp (from tables), solubility can be calculated.