AP Chemistry : Solutions and States of Matter

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #13 : Ideal Gas Law

If a container holds 1mol of hydrogen, 2.5mol of helium, and 2mol of oxygen at a total pressure of 4atm, what is the partial pressure of the oxygen gas?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 8.00atm\)

\(\displaystyle 4.63atm\)

\(\displaystyle 2.76atm\)

\(\displaystyle 2.29atm\)

\(\displaystyle 1.45atm\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1.45atm\)

Explanation:

According to Dalton's law of partial pressures, when two or more gases are in one container without chemical interaction, each behaves independently of the others. The partial pressure of oxygen can, therefore, be found by multiplying the molar fraction of oxygen in the container by the total pressure of the three gases.

\(\displaystyle X_{oxygen}= \frac{2mol\ O_2}{1mol\ H_2+2.5mol\ He+2mol\ O_2}= 0.37\)

\(\displaystyle X_{oxygen}*P=P_{oxygen}\)

\(\displaystyle 0.37 * 4 atm\approx 1.45 atm\)

Example Question #14 : Ideal Gas Law

A glass container holds a mixture of two gases. Gas A exerts a pressure of 5atm on the container.

If there are twice as many moles of gas A as there are moles of gas B in the container, what is the total pressure in the container?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 6.67atm\)

The pressure is unaffected by the gas of lower concentration

\(\displaystyle 5.55atm\)

\(\displaystyle 7.5atm\)

\(\displaystyle 10atm\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 7.5atm\)

Explanation:

This is an equation which requires us to find the partial pressures of each gas in the container. The equation for partial pressure is \(\displaystyle P_{a} = X_{a}P_{total}\) where \(\displaystyle X\) is the molar fraction of one of the gases. Since there are twice as many moles of gas A as there are gas B, we know that gas A accounts for 2/3 of the moles in the container.

\(\displaystyle X_a=\frac{mol\ A}{total\ mol}=\frac{2mol\ A}{(2mol A)+(1molB)}=\frac{2}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 5 = \frac{2}{3}P_{total}\)

\(\displaystyle P_{total} = 7.5atm\)

Example Question #45 : Gases

A gas mixture at equilibrium held over water at \(\displaystyle 43^{\circ} C\) contains 2.0 moles of oxygen, 9.0 moles of nitrogen, and 1.0 moles of water vapor. What is the vapor pressure of water at \(\displaystyle 43^{\circ} C\), if the total pressure exerted by the gases is 780mmHg?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 330 mmHg\)

\(\displaystyle 65 mmHg\)

\(\displaystyle 256 mmHg\)

\(\displaystyle 760 mmHg\)

\(\displaystyle 165 mmHg\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 65 mmHg\)

Explanation:

The molar quantity of a gas is directly proportional to its partial pressure, so if we have a total of 12 moles of gas, and \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{12}\) of the gas sample is water vapor, then water vapor makes up \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{12}\) of the total pressure. Thus to get the partial vapor pressure of any of the substances, we multiply the total vapor pressure by the proportion of that gas.

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{12}(780) = 65mmHg\)

Example Question #1 : Solubility

What is the formula for the dissociation of iron (II) phosphate?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle Fe_3(PO_4)_2\rightleftharpoons 3Fe^{2+}+2PO_4^{3-}\)

\(\displaystyle Ir_3(PO_4)_2\rightleftharpoons 3Fe^{2+}+2PO_4^{3-}\)

\(\displaystyle FeP\rightleftharpoons Fe^{2+}+P^{2-}\)

\(\displaystyle Fe_2(PO_4)_3\rightleftharpoons 2Fe^{3+}+3PO_4^{2-}\)

\(\displaystyle FePO_4\rightleftharpoons Fe^{2+}+PO_4^{2-}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle Fe_3(PO_4)_2\rightleftharpoons 3Fe^{2+}+2PO_4^{3-}\)

Explanation:

Iron (II) has a positive two charge: \(\displaystyle Fe^{2+}\).

Phosphate has a negative three charge: \(\displaystyle PO_4^{3-}\).

The initial compound must be constructed to cancel these charges. The dissociation is: \(\displaystyle Fe_3(PO_4)_2\rightleftharpoons 3Fe^{2+}+2PO_4^{3-}\).

Example Question #1 : Solubility

Pb(OH)2 has a Ksp of  1.43 * 10-20.

What is its solubility?

Possible Answers:

2.43 * 10-7M

8.42 * 10-12M

1.53 * 10-7M

1.20 * 10-10M

Correct answer:

1.53 * 10-7M

Explanation:

Lead (II) hydroxide dissociates according to this reaction: \(\displaystyle Pb(OH)_2\rightleftharpoons Pb^{2+}+2OH^-\). Solubility is equal to the number of moles that will dissociate at equilibrium, and can be found using this reaction and the value of Ksp.

Ksp = [Pb2+][OH-]2

If [Pb2+] = x, then [OH-] = 2x. They exist in a 1:2 ratio.

Ksp = 1.43 * 10-20 = x(2x)2 = 4x3

x = 1.53 x 10-7M

Example Question #931 : Ap Chemistry

Which of the following factors will generally lead a solute to dissolve more easily into a solution (i.e. increase solubility)?

Possible Answers:

Increasing the temperature of the solution

The common ion effect

None of these choices will increase solubility

Decreasing the temperature of the solution

Correct answer:

Increasing the temperature of the solution

Explanation:

Increasing the temperature of a solution will generally increase its solubility, while decreasing temperature will have the opposite effect. The common ion effect refers to the phenomenon when two compunds in a solution dissociate to produce at least one similar ion, and will make it harder for additional amounts of that ion in the solution to dissociate, decreasing solubility.

Example Question #2 : Solubility

\(\displaystyle NaCl (s) \rightarrow Na^{+} (aq) + Cl^{-} (aq)\)

If the Ksp of the above dissociation is found to be 2.70 * 10-4, what is the solubility of NaCl?

Possible Answers:

1.44 * 10-2M

7.29 * 10-8M

1.89 * 10-2M

1.64 * 10-2M

Correct answer:

1.64 * 10-2M

Explanation:

First, set up a balanced reaction and enter X for the amount of each solute that is going to be dissolved. As NaCl dissociates, each ion amount will increase by some amount, X.

\(\displaystyle NaCl (s) \rightarrow Na^{+}(aq) + Cl^{-}(aq)\)

    \(\displaystyle \wr\)                 \(\displaystyle +X\)                 \(\displaystyle +X\)

    \(\displaystyle \wr\)                   \(\displaystyle X\)                    \(\displaystyle X\)

Then set up the equation for the value of Ksp and enter in the value of X for each solute. Use this equation to solve for X, the solubility (in mol/L). Remember that NaCl si not included in the equation, as it is a pure solid.

\(\displaystyle K_{sp}= [Na^{+}][Cl^{-}] = (X)(X) = X^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 2.70 * 10^{-4} = X^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle X= 1.64 * 10^{-2}M\)

Example Question #3 : Solubility

\(\displaystyle CaF_{2}(s) \rightarrow Ca^{2+}(aq) + 2F^{-}(aq)\)

If the solubility of CaF2 in the dissociation reaction above was determined to be 1.54 * 10-3M, what is the Ksp value for CaF2?

Possible Answers:

2.24 * 10-6

1.46 * 10-8

1.98 * 10-8

1.42 * 10-6

Correct answer:

1.46 * 10-8

Explanation:

Use the balanced reaction of the dissociation to assign values of X for the solubility of each ion. As CaF2 dissociates, each ion amount will increase by some amount; calcium will increase by X and flouride will increase by 2X.

\(\displaystyle CaF_{2}(s) \rightarrow Ca^{2+}(aq) + 2F^{-}(aq)\)

       \(\displaystyle \wr\)               \(\displaystyle +X\)                \(\displaystyle +2X\)

       \(\displaystyle \wr\)                 \(\displaystyle X\)                   \(\displaystyle 2X\)

Then plug in the equation to solve Ksp, using the X values assigned for each solute. Use the given value for solubility to find Ksp. Remember that NaCl si not included in the equation, as it is a pure solid.

\(\displaystyle K_{sp}= [Ca^{2+}][F^-]^2=(X)(2X)^{2} = 4X^{3}\)

\(\displaystyle K_{sp}= 4(1.9 * 10^{-2})^{3} = 1.46 * 10^{-8}\)

Example Question #3 : Solubility

Consider the following balanced equation for the solubility of barium hydroxide in an aqueous solution.

\(\displaystyle \small Ba(OH)_{2}_{(s)} \rightleftharpoons Ba^{2+}_{(aq)} + 2OH^{-}_{(aq)}\)

\(\displaystyle \small K_{sp} = 5*10^{-3}\)

What is the solubility of barium hydroxide?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \small 0.108M\)

\(\displaystyle \small 0.071M\)

\(\displaystyle \small 0.05M\)

\(\displaystyle \small 0.035M\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \small 0.108M\)

Explanation:

In order to solve for the solubility of barium hydroxide, we need to establish an ICE table for the reaction. 

I. Initially, there are no barium ions or hydroxide ions in the solution, so we can call their concentrations zero at the beginning of the reaction.

C. For every molecule of dissolved barium hydroxide, there will be one ion of barium and two ions of hydroxide. As a result, the increases in each ion can be designated \(\displaystyle \small +x\) and \(\displaystyle \small +2x\), respectively.

E. Finally, we plug these values into the equilibrium expression and set it equal to the solubility product constant.

\(\displaystyle \begin{matrix} Ba(OH)_2 & Ba^{2+} &OH^- \\ /& 0 & 0\\ / & x & 2x \end{matrix}\)

\(\displaystyle K_{sp}=[Ba^{2+}][OH^-]^2\)

\(\displaystyle \small 5*10^{-3} = [x][2x]^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \small x = 0.108M\)

 

Example Question #4 : Solubility

Four different insoluble salts are added to an aqueous solution in equal amounts. Assume that the salts do not interact with one another in any way. The following list shows the salts and their solubility product constants.

\(\displaystyle \small BaSO_{4}\)    \(\displaystyle \small K_{sp} = 1.1*10^{-10}\)

\(\displaystyle \small CaCrO_{4}\)  \(\displaystyle \small K_{sp} = \small 7.1*10^{-4}\)

\(\displaystyle \small MgF_{2}\)      \(\displaystyle \small K_{sp } = 3.7*10^{-8}\)

\(\displaystyle \small NiCO_{3}\)    \(\displaystyle \small K_{sp} = 6.6*10^{-9}\)

Which of the following ions will have the highest concentration in the solution?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \small SO_{4}^{2-}\)

\(\displaystyle \small CO_{3}^{2-}\)

\(\displaystyle \small F-\)

\(\displaystyle \small \small CrO_{4}^{2-}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \small \small CrO_{4}^{2-}\)

Explanation:

The solubility product constants help us envision which ions will have the largest concentrations after dissolving to equilibrium. \(\displaystyle \small CaCrO_{4}\) has the largest solubility product constant, meaning it will dissolve the most out of the four options.

Upon the dissolving of \(\displaystyle \small MgF_{2}\), twice the number of fluoride ions will be released as magnesium ions; however, the solubility constant for magnesium fluoride is so much smaller, compared to the solubility constant of \(\displaystyle \small CaCrO_{4}\), that it will not become the ion with the largest concentration.

\(\displaystyle 2(3.7*10^{-8})< 7.1*10^{-4}\)

\(\displaystyle [F^-]< [CrO_4^{2-}]\)

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