MCQEasyJEE 2025Solubility Product

JEE Chemistry 2025 Question with Solution

Ksp for Cr(OH)3Cr(OH)_3 is 1.6×10301.6 \times 10^{-30}. What is the molar solubility of this salt in water?

  • A

    s=1.6×1030274s = \sqrt[4]{\frac{1.6 \times 10^{-30}}{27}}

  • B

    1.8×103027\frac{1.8 \times 10^{-30}}{27}

  • C

    1.8×10305\sqrt[5]{1.8 \times 10^{-30}}

  • D

    21.6×103027\frac{2 \sqrt{1.6 \times 10^{-30}}}{27}

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: KspK_{sp} for Cr(OH)3Cr(OH)_3 is 1.6×10301.6 \times 10^{-30}.

Find: The molar solubility ss of Cr(OH)3Cr(OH)_3 in water.

The dissolution equilibrium is:

Cr(OH)3(s)Cr3+(aq)+3OH(aq)Cr(OH)_3 (s) \rightleftharpoons Cr^{3+} (aq) + 3OH^- (aq)

If the molar solubility is ss, then

  • [Cr3+]=s[Cr^{3+}] = s
  • [OH]=3s[OH^-] = 3s

Using the solubility product expression:

Ksp=[Cr3+][OH]3K_{sp} = [Cr^{3+}][OH^-]^3

Substitute the concentrations:

Ksp=(s)(3s)3=27s4K_{sp} = (s)(3s)^3 = 27s^4

Now use the given value:

1.6×1030=27s41.6 \times 10^{-30} = 27s^4

So,

s4=1.6×103027s^4 = \frac{1.6 \times 10^{-30}}{27}

Taking the fourth root,

s=1.6×1030274s = \sqrt[4]{\frac{1.6 \times 10^{-30}}{27}}

Therefore, the molar solubility is s=1.6×1030274s = \sqrt[4]{\frac{1.6 \times 10^{-30}}{27}} and the correct option is A.

Using Ionic Concentrations

Given: Cr(OH)3Cr(OH)_3 dissolves with Ksp=1.6×1030K_{sp} = 1.6 \times 10^{-30}.

Find: The expression for molar solubility ss.

For each mole of Cr(OH)3Cr(OH)_3 that dissolves, it forms one mole of Cr3+Cr^{3+} and three moles of OHOH^-.

Hence, if solubility is ss:

[Cr3+]=s,[OH]=3s[Cr^{3+}] = s, \qquad [OH^-] = 3s

Now write the equilibrium expression:

Ksp=[Cr3+][OH]3K_{sp} = [Cr^{3+}][OH^-]^3

Substituting,

Ksp=s(3s)3K_{sp} = s(3s)^3

Evaluate the cube term:

(3s)3=27s3(3s)^3 = 27s^3

Therefore,

Ksp=s27s3=27s4K_{sp} = s \cdot 27s^3 = 27s^4

With Ksp=1.6×1030K_{sp} = 1.6 \times 10^{-30},

27s4=1.6×103027s^4 = 1.6 \times 10^{-30}

Rearranging,

s4=1.6×103027s^4 = \frac{1.6 \times 10^{-30}}{27}

Thus,

s=1.6×1030274s = \sqrt[4]{\frac{1.6 \times 10^{-30}}{27}}

So the correct option is A.

Common mistakes

  • A common mistake is taking [OH]=s[OH^-] = s instead of 3s3s. This is wrong because one formula unit of Cr(OH)3Cr(OH)_3 produces three hydroxide ions. Always use stoichiometry from the dissolution equation before writing KspK_{sp}.

  • Another mistake is writing Ksp=s2K_{sp} = s^2 or Ksp=s(3s)K_{sp} = s(3s). This is wrong because the hydroxide concentration must be raised to the power 3 in [OH]3[OH^-]^3. The correct expression is Ksp=s(3s)3=27s4K_{sp} = s(3s)^3 = 27s^4.

  • Students may take the square root instead of the fourth root while solving for ss. This is incorrect because the equation obtained is s4=1.6×103027s^4 = \frac{1.6 \times 10^{-30}}{27}. Therefore, solve by taking the fourth root, not the square root.

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