Determine the solubility product of calcium hydroxide
- Words:
- 1689
- Submitted:
- Fri Aug 18 2006

... BACKGROUND Calcium Hydroxide, Ca (OH) 2 is an ionic solid that is slightly soluble in water. A saturated solution of a sparingly soluble salt obeys the Law of Chemical Equilibrium. Therefore, Ca (OH) 2 (s) - Ca2+ (aq) + 2OH-(aq) Keq = [Ca2+ (aq)] [OH-(aq)] 2 [Ca (OH) 2(s)] Keq is the Equilibrium Constant of the reaction. Whenever you see the symbol Ksp you know that it is referring to a solubility equation, written with the solid to the left of the equilibrium sign, and the dissolved products to the right. Since the concentration of the solid Ca (OH) 2 is a constant, it maybe included in the Keq for the reaction, and a new constant Ksp, the Solubility Product, is obtained. Thus for Calcium Hydroxide: Ksp = [Ca2+ (aq)] [OH-(aq)] 2 Every substance that forms a saturated solution will have a Ksp. However, for very soluble substances like NaCl, the value is so














