What is the definition of Ksp in chemistry?

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What is the definition of Ksp in chemistry?

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Answer 1 · 2016-08-11T16:13:46

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Explanation:

Essentially, $K_{sp}$ $K_"sp"$ is another equilibrium constant, which measures the solubility of insoluble and sparingly soluble salts.

For an insoluble salt, we may represent its dissolution reaction in this fashion:

$M X_{2} (s) ⇌ M^{+} + 2 X^{-}$ $MX_2(s) rightleftharpoonsM^+ + 2X^-$

And its equilibrium reaction may be quantified:

$\frac{[M^{+}] {[X^{-}]}^{2}}{[M X_{2} (s)]}$ $([M^+][X^-]^2)/([MX_2(s)])$ $=$ $=$ $K_{sp}$ $K_"sp"$

But you can't have the concentration of a solid, i.e. $[M X_{2} (s)]$ $[MX_2(s)]$ is removed from the equilibrium expression, to give finally:

$[M^{+}] {[X^{-}]}^{2}$ $[M^+][X^-]^2$ $=$ $=$ $K_{sp}$ $K_"sp"$

$K_{sp}$ $K_"sp"$ values have been measured for a host of sparingly soluble and insoluble salts under standard conditions. If $M^{+}$ $M^+$ in the above expression were a precious metal, addition of excess $X^{-}$ $X^-$ to solution could salt the metal out for recovery.

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What is the definition of Ksp in chemistry?

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