Question
Write like a 13 grader.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 (NaCl) solution, the addition of hydroxide ions (OH⁻) can shift the equilibrium of the NaCl dissolution reaction. The reaction can be represented as NaCl(s) ⇌ Na⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq). However, since NaOH dissociates completely in solution, it increases the concentration of Na⁺ ions. As a result, the equilibrium shifts to the left according to Le Chatelier's principle, favoring the formation of the solid NaCl, which leads to the precipitation of NaCl from the solution. This demonstrates how changes in ion concentration can affect the solubility and equilibrium of a saturated solution.