Question

You are browsing through the Handbook of Hypothetical Chemistry when you come across a solid that is reported to have a \(K_{\mathrm{sp}}\) value of zero in water at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). What does this mean?

Short answer

A \(K_{sp}\) value of zero for a solid in water at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) indicates that the solid is completely insoluble in water at this temperature, and the concentration of its ions in a saturated solution is essentially zero.

Step-by-step solution

Explanation of Solubility Product Constant (\(K_{sp}\))

The solubility product constant, \(K_{sp}\), is a measure of the solubility of a slightly soluble ionic compound in water. It is the product of the concentrations of the ions in a saturated solution, each raised to the power of their stoichiometric coefficient. A high \(K_{sp}\) value implies that the substance is highly soluble in water, while a low \(K_{sp}\) value indicates that the substance is poorly soluble in water.

Interpretation of the \(K_{sp}\) Value

In this case, the given \(K_{sp}\) value is zero. Mathematically, a \(K_{sp}\) value of zero means that the concentrations of the constituent ions in the saturated solution are essentially zero. This implies that the solid is completely insoluble in water at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\).

Conclusion

A \(K_{sp}\) value of zero for a solid in water at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) means that the solid is not soluble in water at this temperature, and the concentration of its ions in a saturated solution is essentially zero.

Key concepts

Insolubility

Insolubility refers to the inability of a substance, typically a solid, to dissolve in a solvent, usually water. An important concept in chemistry, this is frequently represented by the solubility product constant (\(K_{sp} \)).For a salt or compound to be classified as insoluble, it has a very low or zero value of \(K_{sp} \). If \(K_{sp} \) is zero, it signifies that the compound does not dissolve in the solvent, leading to no formation of ions at all.
A real-world example would be adding sand to water. The sand remains separate and doesn't dissolve because it's insoluble. Unlike highly soluble substances like sugar or salt, which distribute entirely within the water, an insoluble substance maintains its distinct form.

Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are formed when cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions) come together to create a neutral compound.They often crystallize with a regular, repeating pattern and are typically found as salts.

• When dissolved in water, they dissociate into their constituent ions. This process increases the concentration of ions in the solution, which is fundamental to understanding how \(K_{sp} \) works for these substances.
• For compounds with a \(K_{sp} \) value of zero, however, this dissociation does not happen, indicating that the ions remain tightly bound in their solid form.

Ionic compounds are common in everyday life, from kitchen salt (\(\text{NaCl} \)) to calcium carbonate found in antacids. Their ability to dissolve influences many chemical reactions and processes around us.

Saturated Solution

A saturated solution is where the maximum amount of a substance has dissolved in a solvent at a given temperature. In this state, any additional solute will not dissolve and will instead form a precipitate or settle at the bottom as a residue.

• The concentration of ions in a saturated solution is used to calculate the \(K_{sp} \). When the \(K_{sp} \) is low or zero, the saturated solution contains little to no ions, implying that the solute is largely undissolved.
• Temperature often affects saturation: as temperature increases, most substances become more soluble, although this is not universal.

Understanding saturated solutions is crucial for many fields, from cooking to industrial chemistry, as it dictates how materials interact when mixed.