Question

Answer the following :

Explain the relation between ionic product and solubility product to predict whether a precipitate will form when two solutions are mixed?

Answer 1

Condition of precipitation:

The ionic product (IP) of an electrolyte is defined in the same way as solubility product (K_sp). The only difference is that the ionic product expression contains a concentration of ions under any condition whereas the expression of K_sp contains only equilibrium concentrations. If,

1. IP = K_sp; the solution is saturated and solubility equilibrium exists.
2. IP > K_sp; the solution is supersaturated and hence precipitation of the compound will occur.
3. If IP < K_sp, the solution is unsaturated and precipitation will not occur.