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CHEMISTRY EQUILIBRIUM PROBLEM! 6M NH_3 is added to a Ni(OH)_2 precipitate so tha

ID: 972817 • Letter: C

Question

CHEMISTRY EQUILIBRIUM PROBLEM!

6M NH_3 is added to a Ni(OH)_2 precipitate so that some of the precipitate dissolves according to the equation: Ni(OH)_2 + 6 NH_3 reverseequilibrium Ni(NH_3)_6^2+(aq) + 2 OH^-(aq) What does the NH_3 concentration need to be at equilibrium in order to dissolve enough nickel(II) hydroxide such that there is 0.10M Ni(NH_3)_6^2+ in solution? K_sp(Ni(OH)_2) = 5.5 times 10^-16; K_f(Ni(NH_3)_6^2+) = 5.6 times 10^8. K = (5.5 times 10^-16)(5.6 times 10^8) = 3.08 times 10^-7 3.08 times 10^-7 = [Ni(NH_3)_6^2+][OH^-]^2/[NH_3]^6 Ni(OH)_2 (s) + 6HN_3(aq) reverseEquilibrium Ni(NH_3)_6^2+(aq) + 2OH^-(aq)

Explanation / Answer

Data.

[NH3] = 6 M add to Ni(OH)2 (s)

[NH3] = ?? to precipitate Ni in a 0.10 M Ni(NH3)6+2 dissolution

Kps = 5.5x10-16

Kf = 5.6x108

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Ammonia reacts with water forming OH- ions, which in turn reacts with Ni+2 to form Ni(OH)2. The interest equilibriums are:

NH3 (aq) + H2O (l) <==> NH4+ (ac) + OH- (ac)

Ni2+ (ac) + 2OH- (ac) <==> Ni(OH)2 (s)

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First, we find the [OH-] above which it begins to precipitate Ni(OH)2

Kps = [Ni2+][OH-]2 = 5.5x10-16

since, Ni(NH3)6+2 is a strong electrolite, [Ni2+] = 0.10 M

[OH-]2 = 5.5x10-16 /0.10

[OH-] = 7.41x10-8 M

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Now we calculate [NH3] which will provide 7.41x10-8 M of OH- ions. Let x be the [NH3]o in moles/L:

NH3 (ac) + H2O (l) <==>   NH4+ (ac) +   OH- (ac)

(x - 7.41x10-8) ----------- (+7.41x10-8) . (+7.41x10-8)

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Then,

Kb = [NH4+][OH-]/[NH3]

1.8x10-5 = (+7.41x10-8)2/(x - 7.41x10-8)

x = 4.12x10-3 M

Therefore, the concentration of ammonia needed, [NH3] should be enough than "x" to start the precipitation of Ni(OH)2.

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From chemical reaction we know:

Ni2+ (ac) + 6 NH3 (ac) <==> Ni(NH3)62+ (aq)

Kf = [Ni(NH3)6+2]/[Ni2+][NH3]6

5.6x108 = 0.10/[Ni2+](4.12x10-3)6

[Ni2+] = 4.33x10-8 M

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The concentration of nickel (II) ions is 4.33x10-8 M. This approximation is justified, becuase [Ni2+] in the equilibrium is too small compared to 0.10 M.