Question 17.SE.14: Which of these substances are more soluble in acidic solutio...
Which of these substances are more soluble in acidic solution than in basic solution: (a) Ni(OH)2(s), (b) CaCO3(s), (c) BaF2(s), (d) AgCl(s)?
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Analyze The problem lists four sparingly soluble salts, and we are asked to determine which are more soluble at low pH than at high pH.
Plan We will identify ionic compounds that dissociate to produce a basic anion, as these are especially soluble in acid solution.
Solve
(a) Ni(OH)2(s) is more soluble in acidic solution because of the basicity of OH−; the H+ reacts with the OH− ion, forming water:
Ni(OH)2(s)2OH−(aq)+2H+(aq)Overall:Ni(OH)2(s)+2H+(aq)⇌Ni2+(aq)+2OH−(aq)⇌2H2O(l)⇌Ni2+(aq)+2H2O(l)
(b) Similarly, CaCO3(s) dissolves in acid solutions because CO32− is a basic anion:
CaCO3(s)CO32−(aq)+2H+(aq)H2CO3(aq)Overall: CaCO3(s)+2H+(aq)⇌Ca2+(aq)+CO32−(aq)⇌H2CO3(aq)⇌CO2(g)+H2O(l)⇌Ca2+(aq)+CO2(g)+H2O(l)
The reaction between CO32− and H+ occurs in steps, with HCO3− forming first and H2CO3 forming in appreciable amounts only when [H+] is sufficiently high.
(c) The solubility of BaF2 is enhanced by lowering the pH because F− is a basic anion:
BaF2(s)2F−(aq)+2H+(aq)Overall:BaF2(s)+2H+(aq)⇌Ba2+(aq)+2F−(aq)⇌2HF(aq)⇌Ba2+(aq)+2HF(aq)
(d) The solubility of AgCl is unaffected by changes in pH because Cl− is the anion of a strong acid and therefore has negligible basicity.