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Chemistry LibreTexts

5.6: Solution Stoichiometry

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Learning Objectives
  • Determine amounts of reactants or products in aqueous solutions.

As we learned previously, double replacement reactions involve the reaction between ionic compounds in solution and, in the course of the reaction, the ions in the two reacting compounds are “switched” (they replace each other). Because these reactions occur in aqueous solution, we can use the concept of molarity to directly calculate the number of moles of reactants or products that will be formed, and therefore their amounts (i.e. volume of solutions or mass of precipitates).

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As an example, lead (II) nitrate and sodium chloride react to form sodium nitrate and the insoluble compound, lead (II) chloride.

Pb(NO3)2(aq)+2NaCl(aq)PbCl2(s)+2NaNO3(aq)

In the reaction shown above, if we mixed 0.123 L of a 1.00 M solution of NaCl with 1.50 M solution of Pb(NO3)2, we could calculate the volume of Pb(NO3)2 solution needed to completely precipitate the Pb2+ ions.

The molar concentration can also be expressed as the following:

1.00MNaCl=1.00molNaCl1LNaClsolution

and

1.50MPb(NO3)2=1.50molPb(NO3)21LPb(NO3)2solution

First, we must examine the reaction stoichiometry in the balanced reaction (Equation ???). In this reaction, one mole of Pb(NO3)2 reacts with two moles of NaCl to give one mole of PbCl2 precipitate. Thus, the concept map utilizing the stoichiometric ratios is:

imageedit_8_9604296699.png

so the volume of lead (II) nitrate that reacted is calculated as:

0.123LNaClsolution×1.00molNaCl1LNaClsolution×1molPb(NO3)22molNaCl×1LPb(NO3)2solution1.5molPb(NO3)2=0.041Pb(NO3)2Lsolution

This volume makes intuitive sense for two reasons: (1) the number of moles of Pb(NO3)2 required is half of the number of moles of NaCl, based off of the stoichiometry in the balanced reaction (Equation ???); (2) the concentration of Pb(NO3)2 solution is 50% greater than the NaCl solution, so less volume is needed.

Example 5.6.1

What volume (in L) of 0.500 M sodium sulfate will react with 275 mL of 0.250 M barium chloride to completely precipitate all Ba2+ in the solution?

Solution
Solutions to Example 13.8.1
Steps for Problem Solving Example 5.6.1
Identify the "given" information and what the problem is asking you to "find."

Given: 275 mL BaCl2

0.250 M BaCl2 or 0.250molBaCl21LBaCl2solution

0.500 M Na2SO4 or 0.500molNa2SO41LNa2SO4solution

Find: Volume Na2SO4 solution.

Set up and balance the chemical equation.

Na2SO4(aq)+BaCl2(aq)BaSO4(s)+2_NaCl(aq)

An insoluble product is formed after the reaction.

List other known quantities.

1 mol of Na2SO4 to 1 mol BaCl2

1000 mL = 1 L

Prepare a concept map and use the proper conversion factor. 13.8.1.PNG
Cancel units and calculate. 275mLBaCl2solution×1L1000mL×0.250molBaCl21LBaCl2solution×1molNa2SO41molBaCl2×1LNa2SO4solution0.500molNa2SO4 = 0.1375 L sodium sulfate
Think about your result. The lesser amount (almost half) of sodium sulfate is to be expected as it is more concentrated than barium chloride. Also, the units are correct.
Exercise 5.6.1

What volume of 0.250 M lithium hydroxide will completely react with 0.500 L of 0.250 M of sulfuric acid solution?

Answer

0.250 L LiOH solution


5.6: Solution Stoichiometry is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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