Chapter 8: Problem 44
Amongst the following hydroxides, the one which has the lowest value of \(K_{s p}\) at ordinary temperature (about \(\left.25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)\) is (a) \(\mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\) (b) \(\mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\) (c) \(\mathrm{Ba}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\) (d) \(\mathrm{Be}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\)
Short Answer
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Understand Solubility Product Constant
Assess Solubility Trends of Hydroxides
Compare With Beryllium Hydroxide
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Alkaline Earth Metal Hydroxides
- They have varying solubility in water, which is influenced by periodic trends.
- Examples of alkaline earth metal hydroxides include magnesium hydroxide \(\text{Mg(OH)}_2\), calcium hydroxide \(\text{Ca(OH)}_2\), and barium hydroxide \(\text{Ba(OH)}_2\).
Periodic Table Trends
- Solubility: As you move down group 2 from beryllium to barium, the solubility of their hydroxides generally increases.
- Reactivity: With increasing atomic number, these metals become more reactive. Beryllium and magnesium are less reactive compared to calcium or barium.
Solubility Trends
- Solubility generally increases for alkaline earth metal hydroxides as you move down the periodic table.
- A lower \(K_{sp}\) value signifies less solubility, meaning that the compound is less likely to dissolve in water.
Beryllium
- Beryllium forms chemical bonds that are more covalent in nature, compared to the largely ionic bonds of the other alkaline earth metals.
- Beryllium hydroxide \(\text{Be(OH)}_2\) has a low solubility due to these covalent characteristics, contributing to its lower \(K_{sp}\).
Magnesium Hydroxide
- It has a low solubility in water, which results in a low \(K_{sp}\).
- This low solubility makes it less likely to dissolve, which is why it is effective in forming suspensions in liquids.