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.
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.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
When the student adds concentrated sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to the saturated sodium chloride solution, the increase in hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from the NaOH shifts the equilibrium of the sodium chloride dissolution reaction. According to Le Châtelier's principle, the system will respond to the change by attempting to reduce the concentration of OH⁻ ions. This can lead to the precipitation of sodium chloride, which occurs when the concentration of Na⁺ ions exceeds the solubility limit in the presence of OH⁻ ions, forming solid NaCl. As a result, the equilibrium shifts to the left, favoring the formation of solid NaCl and reducing the concentration of dissolved ions in the solution.