March 29, 2024, 07:54:13 AM
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting


Topic: NH3 and Mg2+ - Mg(OH)2  (Read 35209 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline THC

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 132
  • Mole Snacks: +4/-6
NH3 and Mg2+ - Mg(OH)2
« on: January 15, 2008, 03:47:20 PM »
Hi

I'm having some difficulties with this one:

60,0 mL 1,50 M NH3 (aq) is added to 15,0 mL 0,100 M MgCl2 (aq). Show that Mg(OH)2 precipitates (is that the right word?).


My answer:
The reactions:
NH3 + H2O <-> NH4+ + OH-
Mg2+ + 2 OH- -> Mg(OH)2

I calculated [OH-] = 10^[-(14-½{4,75 - log 1,2})] = 2,16*10^-12 M.
Besides that, [Mg2+] = 0,02 M, so Ks = 0,02 M*(2,16*10^-12 M)^2 = 9,37*10^-26.
The theoretical Ks is 1,2*10^-11, but according to my calculations, there's no precipitate. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks.

Offline Borek

  • Mr. pH
  • Administrator
  • Deity Member
  • *
  • Posts: 27634
  • Mole Snacks: +1799/-410
  • Gender: Male
  • I am known to be occasionally wrong.
    • Chembuddy
Re: NH3 and Mg2+ - Mg(OH)2
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2008, 04:49:12 PM »
I calculated [OH-] = 10^[-(14-½{4,75 - log 1,2})] = 2,16*10^-12 M

Value seems to fit H+ concentration in this solution, not OH-.

Have you checked if the approximate formula can be used?
« Last Edit: January 15, 2008, 05:15:26 PM by Borek »
ChemBuddy chemical calculators - stoichiometry, pH, concentration, buffer preparation, titrations.info

Offline THC

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 132
  • Mole Snacks: +4/-6
Re: NH3 and Mg2+ - Mg(OH)2
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2008, 12:33:13 AM »
I calculated [OH-] = 10^[-(14-½{4,75 - log 1,2})] = 2,16*10^-12 M

Value seems to fit H+ concentration in this solution, not OH-.

Have you checked if the approximate formula can be used?

!!! Yes, you are right. It is [OH-] = 10^[-½{4,75 - log 1,2}].
That was stupid :) Thanks again.

What is the approximate formula?

Offline AWK

  • Retired Staff
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 7979
  • Mole Snacks: +555/-93
  • Gender: Male
Re: NH3 and Mg2+ - Mg(OH)2
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2008, 01:55:40 AM »
Hi

I'm having some difficulties with this one:

60,0 mL 1,50 M NH3 (aq) is added to 15,0 mL 0,100 M MgCl2 (aq). Show that Mg(OH)2 precipitates (is that the right word?).


My answer:
The reactions:
NH3 + H2O <-> NH4+ + OH-
Mg2+ + 2 OH- -> Mg(OH)2

I calculated [OH-] = 10^[-(14-½{4,75 - log 1,2})] = 2,16*10^-12 M.
Besides that, [Mg2+] = 0,02 M, so Ks = 0,02 M*(2,16*10^-12 M)^2 = 9,37*10^-26.
The theoretical Ks is 1,2*10^-11, but according to my calculations, there's no precipitate. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks.
Why you neglected formation of ammonium buffer with concentration 1,16 M of NH3 and 0.04 M NH4Cl
AWK

Offline Borek

  • Mr. pH
  • Administrator
  • Deity Member
  • *
  • Posts: 27634
  • Mole Snacks: +1799/-410
  • Gender: Male
  • I am known to be occasionally wrong.
    • Chembuddy
Re: NH3 and Mg2+ - Mg(OH)2
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2008, 03:07:32 AM »
Why you neglected formation of ammonium buffer with concentration 1,16 M of NH3 and 0.04 M NH4Cl

Where do you see NH4Cl?
ChemBuddy chemical calculators - stoichiometry, pH, concentration, buffer preparation, titrations.info

Offline Borek

  • Mr. pH
  • Administrator
  • Deity Member
  • *
  • Posts: 27634
  • Mole Snacks: +1799/-410
  • Gender: Male
  • I am known to be occasionally wrong.
    • Chembuddy
Re: NH3 and Mg2+ - Mg(OH)2
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2008, 03:10:04 AM »
ChemBuddy chemical calculators - stoichiometry, pH, concentration, buffer preparation, titrations.info

Offline THC

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 132
  • Mole Snacks: +4/-6
Re: NH3 and Mg2+ - Mg(OH)2
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2008, 10:34:57 AM »
What is the approximate formula?

The one you have used - see equation 8.13.

http://www.chembuddy.com/?left=pH-calculation&right=pH-weak-acid-base

Well, pKb is 4.76, so it should be alright to use that formula, right?

Offline Borek

  • Mr. pH
  • Administrator
  • Deity Member
  • *
  • Posts: 27634
  • Mole Snacks: +1799/-410
  • Gender: Male
  • I am known to be occasionally wrong.
    • Chembuddy
Re: NH3 and Mg2+ - Mg(OH)2
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2008, 10:43:00 AM »
http://www.chembuddy.com/?left=pH-calculation&right=pH-weak-acid-base

Well, pKb is 4.76, so it should be alright to use that formula, right?

It is OK to use this formula in this case, but it is not only pKb dependent. Reread the page, take a look at the plot.
ChemBuddy chemical calculators - stoichiometry, pH, concentration, buffer preparation, titrations.info

Offline THC

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 132
  • Mole Snacks: +4/-6
Re: NH3 and Mg2+ - Mg(OH)2
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2008, 12:09:23 PM »
http://www.chembuddy.com/?left=pH-calculation&right=pH-weak-acid-base

Well, pKb is 4.76, so it should be alright to use that formula, right?

It is OK to use this formula in this case, but it is not only pKb dependent. Reread the page, take a look at the plot.

I did take c_b into account, if that's what you're suggesting. I used Kb = c_b*a^2/(1-a) where a = [OH-]/cb. Then I calculated for c_b = 1.2 M and a = 0.05 (from the link). This yields pKb = 2.5 (AFAIR), so it should be quite safe to use the approximate equation with pKb = 4.76.

Other than that, we've been told to use pH = ½(pKb - log c_b) for bases (or the equivalent with acids) if pKb > 4 :-)

Offline Borek

  • Mr. pH
  • Administrator
  • Deity Member
  • *
  • Posts: 27634
  • Mole Snacks: +1799/-410
  • Gender: Male
  • I am known to be occasionally wrong.
    • Chembuddy
Re: NH3 and Mg2+ - Mg(OH)2
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2008, 01:33:49 PM »
So you were told wrong, try to calculate pH of 10-5 M ammonia solution using approximation, and remember that the real value is 8.85. This approximation can be used as long as dissociation fraction is below 5%.

See

http://www.chembuddy.com/?left=BATE&right=pH-cheat-sheet

for a sure way of calculating pH with the best approximations possible.
ChemBuddy chemical calculators - stoichiometry, pH, concentration, buffer preparation, titrations.info

Sponsored Links