Question

Use the equation of sodium chloride dissolving in water to complete the activity. NaCl(s)⇌Na+(aq)+Cl−(aq) A student prepares a saturated sodium chloride solution. The student adds concentrated sodium hydroxide ( NaOH ) to the solution until a precipitate forms. What is happening with the equilibrium? In three to five sentences, explain your answer.

Answer 1

When concentrated sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is added to the saturated sodium chloride (NaCl) solution, the system experiences a change in equilibrium. The addition of NaOH increases the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in the solution. This shift can cause a decrease in the concentration of available Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, potentially leading to the formation of a precipitate, such as sodium chloride, as the solubility product (Ksp) of the compound is exceeded. Consequently, the equilibrium shifts to the left, favoring the formation of solid NaCl until the system reaches a new equilibrium state. Thus, the system responds to the change by attempting to restore balance by precipitating some of the dissolved ions.