The Common-Ion Effect
- Page ID
- 3068
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Chemical Concept Demonstrated
- Common-ion effect
Demonstration
AgNO3 and NaOAc are added to a beaker of water, and the solution is filtered.
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Observations
AgOAc precipitates in both dishes.
Explanation (including important chemical equations)
The common-ion effect is the decrease in the solubility of a salt that occurs when the salt is dissolved in a solution that contains another source of one of its ions. The filtrate is a saturated solution of Ag+ and OAc- ions. When either AgNO3 or NaOAc is added to the filtrate, the solubility of the ions in the saturated solution decreases, and the Ag + and OAc- ions crash out as AgOAc.
AgNO3 (aq) + OAc - (aq) <=> AgOAc (s)
NaOAc (aq) + Ag + (aq) <=> AgOAc (s)
Contributors
- Dr. George Bodner (Purdue University)