How can I calculate solubility of calcium hydroxide?

1 Answer
Jul 28, 2014

You use the solubility product constant to calculate the solubility of a sparingly soluble electrolyte like calcium hydroxide.

This question is like the one at

http://socratic.org/questions/how-can-i-calculate-the-molar-solubility-of-baso4-given-a-ksp-of-1-07-10-10?source=search

The solubility product constant for Ca(OH)₂ is 5.5 × 10⁻⁶.

The balanced chemical equation is

Ca(OH)₂(s) ⇌ Ca²⁺(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq)
I/mol·L⁻¹: -; 0; 0
C/mol·L⁻¹: -; +#x#; +#2x#
E/mol·L⁻¹: -; #x#; #2x#

#K_"sp"# = [Ca²⁺][ OH⁻]² = #x × (2x)^2 = 4x^3# = 5.5 × 10⁻⁶

#x^3# = 1.375 × 10⁻⁶ (2 significant figures + 2 guard digits)

#x# = ∛(1.375 ×10⁻⁶) = 1.1 × 10⁻²

Solubility = #x# mol/L = 1.1 × 10⁻² mol/L = 0.011 mol/L