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 simple sentences, explain your answer.
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 simple sentences, explain your answer.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
When the student adds concentrated sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to the saturated sodium chloride (NaCl) solution, the hydroxide ions (OH−) react with the sodium ions (Na+) in solution to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which can lead to the precipitation of solid NaCl if the equilibrium shifts. This removal of Na+ ions from the solution disturbs the equilibrium, causing it to shift to the left to produce more Na+ ions and restore balance according to Le Chatelier's principle. As a result, more solid NaCl will precipitate out of the solution until a new equilibrium is established.