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EquilibriumMCQ

Reaction 1: CaC2(s) + 2 H2O(l) ⇄ C2H2(g) + Ca(OH)2(s) Reaction 2: NaOCl(aq) + 2 HCl(aq) ⇄ Cl2(g) + NEquilibrium Chemistry Question

Question

Reaction 1: CaC2(s) + 2 H2O(l) ⇄ C2H2(g) + Ca(OH)2(s)
Reaction 2: NaOCl(aq) + 2 HCl(aq) ⇄ Cl2(g) + NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
Reaction 3: C2H2(g) + Cl2(g) ⇄ C2H2Cl2(g)

Ca(OH)2(s) precipitates when a 1.0 g sample of CaC2(s) (molar mass 64 g/mol) is added to 1.0 L of distilled water at room temperature. If a 0.064 g sample of CaC2(s) is used instead and all of it reacts, which of the following will occur and why? (The value of Ksp for Ca(OH)2 is 8.0 × 10^−6.)

A.

Ca(OH)2 will precipitate because Q > Ksp.

B.

Ca(OH)2 will precipitate because Q < Ksp.

C.

Ca(OH)2 will not precipitate because Q > Ksp.

D.

Ca(OH)2 will not precipitate because Q < Ksp.

✓ Correct

💡 Solution & Explanation

STEPS:

1. Calculate the number of moles of calcium carbide (CaC2\text{CaC}_2) added:
* The sample mass of CaC2\text{CaC}_2 is 0.064 g0.064\text{ g}, and its molar mass is 64 g/mol64\text{ g/mol}.
* Use this to calculate the moles of reactant added:
nCaC2=0.064 g64 g/mol=0.0010 moln_{\text{CaC}_2} = \frac{0.064\text{ g}}{64\text{ g/mol}} = \mathbf{0.0010\text{ mol}}
2. Determine the moles of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2\text{Ca(OH)}_2) produced:
* According to Reaction 1, the reaction of CaC2\text{CaC}_2 with water is:
CaC2(s)+2 H2O(l)C2H2(g)+Ca(OH)2(s)\text{CaC}_2(s) + 2\ \text{H}_2\text{O}(l) \rightleftharpoons \text{C}_2\text{H}_2(g) + \text{Ca(OH)}_2(s)
* The stoichiometry of this reaction shows a 1:11:1 molar ratio between the reactant CaC2\text{CaC}_2 consumed and the product Ca(OH)2\text{Ca(OH)}_2 formed.
* Therefore, the complete reaction of 0.0010 mol0.0010\text{ mol} of CaC2\text{CaC}_2 yields exactly 0.0010 mol0.0010\text{ mol} of Ca(OH)2\text{Ca(OH)}_2.
3. Calculate the initial concentrations of Ca2+\text{Ca}^{2+} and OH\text{OH}^- in the solution:
* Assume that the produced Ca(OH)2\text{Ca(OH)}_2 initially dissolves completely in the 1.0 L1.0\text{ L} volume of distilled water:
Ca(OH)2(aq)Ca2+(aq)+2 OH(aq)\text{Ca(OH)}_2(aq) \rightarrow \text{Ca}^{2+}(aq) + 2\ \text{OH}^-(aq)
* Since 0.0010 mol0.0010\text{ mol} of Ca(OH)2\text{Ca(OH)}_2 is dissolved in 1.0 L1.0\text{ L} of water, the concentration of calcium ions is:
[Ca2+]=0.0010 mol1.0 L=1.0×103 M[\text{Ca}^{2+}] = \frac{0.0010\text{ mol}}{1.0\text{ L}} = \mathbf{1.0 \times 10^{-3}\text{ M}}
* Because each formula unit of calcium hydroxide dissociates to release two hydroxide ions, the hydroxide concentration is:
[OH]=2×(1.0×103 M)=2.0×103 M[\text{OH}^-] = 2 \times (1.0 \times 10^{-3}\text{ M}) = \mathbf{2.0 \times 10^{-3}\text{ M}}
4. Determine the reaction quotient (QQ) for the dissolution of Ca(OH)2\text{Ca(OH)}_2:
* The solubility product equilibrium is:
Ca(OH)2(s)Ca2+(aq)+2 OH(aq)\text{Ca(OH)}_2(s) \rightleftharpoons \text{Ca}^{2+}(aq) + 2\ \text{OH}^-(aq)
* Write the expression for the reaction quotient QQ:
Q=[Ca2+][OH]2Q = [\text{Ca}^{2+}][\text{OH}^-]^2
* Substitute the calculated concentrations into the expression:
Q=(1.0×103)×(2.0×103)2Q = (1.0 \times 10^{-3}) \times (2.0 \times 10^{-3})^2
Q=(1.0×103)×(4.0×106)=4.0×109Q = (1.0 \times 10^{-3}) \times (4.0 \times 10^{-6}) = \mathbf{4.0 \times 10^{-9}}
5. Compare the reaction quotient (QQ) to the solubility product constant (KspK_{sp}):
* The calculated value of QQ is 4.0×1094.0 \times 10^{-9}.
* The given KspK_{sp} of Ca(OH)2\text{Ca(OH)}_2 is 8.0×1068.0 \times 10^{-6} (the official exam booklet lists it as 8.0×1088.0 \times 10^{-8}).
* Since Q<KspQ < K_{sp} (4.0×109<8.0×1064.0 \times 10^{-9} < 8.0 \times 10^{-6} or 8.0×1088.0 \times 10^{-8}), the ion concentrations have not reached the threshold required for saturation.
* Consequently, the solution is unsaturated, meaning no precipitate of Ca(OH)2\text{Ca(OH)}_2 will form, confirming Option D is correct.

*

WHY_OTHERS_WRONG:

  • Option A is incorrect: This option claims a precipitate will form because Q>KspQ > K_{sp}. This is mathematically incorrect because our calculated reaction quotient of 4.0×1094.0 \times 10^{-9} is several orders of magnitude smaller than the KspK_{sp}.
  • Option B is incorrect: This option states that a precipitate will form because Q<KspQ < K_{sp}. While the comparison Q<KspQ < K_{sp} is correct, a precipitate only forms when the ion concentrations exceed the solubility limit (i.e., when Q>KspQ > K_{sp}). An unsaturated solution (Q<KspQ < K_{sp}) does not yield a precipitate.
  • Option C is incorrect: This option correctly states that a precipitate will not form but provides an incorrect mathematical justification (Q>KspQ > K_{sp}). If Q>KspQ > K_{sp} were true, the solution would be supersaturated, and a precipitate would have to form to restore equilibrium.
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