Solubility Product Constant
What is Solubility Product Constant?
The solubility product constant (Ksp) is the equilibrium constant for the dissolution of a sparingly soluble ionic compound in water, expressed as the product of the molar concentrations of its ions each raised to the power of their stoichiometric coefficients. For example, for BaSO₄(s) ⇌ Ba²⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq), Ksp = [Ba²⁺][SO₄²⁻]. Small Ksp values indicate low solubility; the Ksp is used to predict precipitation, calculate molar solubility, and understand the common ion effect.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
The solubility product constant (Ksp) is the equilibrium constant for the dissolution of a sparingly soluble ionic compound in water, expressed as the product of the molar concentrations of its ions each raised to the power of their stoichiometric coefficients. For example, for BaSO₄(s) ⇌ Ba²⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq), Ksp = [Ba²⁺][SO₄²⁻]. Small Ksp values indicate low solubility; the Ksp is used to predict precipitation, calculate molar solubility, and understand the common ion effect.