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Experiment 5: Determination of the Ksp and Standard Thermodynamic Parameters for

Dissolving Ca(OH)2

Section
Prelab
Prelab Quiz
Purpose
Methods
Collection of Data
Results &
Calculations
Accuracy
Discussion
Summary
References
Technique
Presentation
Insight

Mark

Max

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Purpose
The purpose of this lab was to determine the solubility equilibrium constant and the
standard enthalpy, entropy, and free energy of a solution of Ca(OH)2 from the data gathered from
titrating HCl with the solution. The equilibrium constant can be found using the concentrations
used in the titration in Equation 1, using this value the change in free energy can be calculated
using Equation 2. Using the calculated values, a graph of Equation 3 can be made to give the
change in enthalpy and entropy. These thermodynamic parameters can help people understand in
what conditions and how much of this solution can be used to treat hard water effectively (Poe,
2014).
Equation 1: Equilibrium Solubility Constant
2+

Ca

OH
K sp =

Summary: In the Equilibrium Solubility Constant equation, Ksp refers to

the equilibrium constant, [Ca2+] refers to the concentration of calcium
ions (M), and [OH-] denotes the concentration of hydroxide ions (M)
(Zumdahl, 2009).
Equation 2: Gibbs Free Energy
G=RTlnK
Summary: In the Gibbs Free Energy equation, G refers to the measure of
free energy (KJ/mol), R is the gas constant (KJ/mol), T is the temperature
at which the reaction is taking place (K), and K is the equilibrium
constant (Zumdahl, 2009).
Equation 3: Vant Hoff Equation

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ln K=

H S
+
R
R

Summary: In the Vant Hoff Equation, K represents the equilibrium

constant, H represents the enthalpy of the reaction (KJ/mol), R is the gas
constant (KJ/mol), and S is the entropy of the reaction (KJ/molK)
(Standard, 2014).

Method
The method used for this experiment was from Chemistry 110 Course Manual 20142015 written by Judith Poe from Lab #5 on pages 87 931. The deviations from the mentioned
procedures are listed below:
1. 3.6 g of Ca(OH)2 was pre-weighted and given for use.
2. The stirring rod was not used to pour the solution into the fluted filter paper.
3. After the solution was heated and filtered, it was allowed to cool until it reached room
temperature again before titrating again.
Results
Table 1: Volume of Ca(OH)2 Solution to Titrate 20 mL HCL
Solution
Temperature (K)
293.05

292.95
348.25

371.25

Calculations

Trial Number
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3

Volume of
Ca(OH)2 (mL)
8.8
8.6
8.9
9
9
9
18
17
15
19
19.6
16.5

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1. The equation CaVa=CbVb can be used to find the concentration of hydroxide.

[OH-] = Cb
Ca = 0.02 M
( 0.02 ) ( 0.02 )=Cb ( 0.0088 )

Va = 0.02 L

Vb = 0.0088 L

Cb=0.045 M
[Ca2+] = [OH-]
[Ca2+] = 0.023 M

2+

Ca

OH
K sp =
2

K sp=( 0.023 )( 0.045 )

K sp =4.6 105

The calculations for the Ksp at all temperature points were done similarly and the values are listed
in Table 2.
Table 2: Ksp Values
TemperatureTrial
(K) #
293.05

1
2
3

292.95

1
2
3

348.25

1
2
3

371.25

1
2
3

2. R = 8.314 x 10-3 KJ/mol

Ksp
4.6 x 10-5
5.02 x 10-5
4.53 x 10-5
Avg: 4.72 x 10-5
4.3 x 10-5
4.3 x 10-5
4.3 x 10-5
Avg: 4.3 x 10-5
5.4 x 10-6
6.4 x 10-6
9.4 x 10-6
Avg: 7.07 x 10-6
4.69 x 10-6
4.25 x 10-6
7.01 x 10-6
Avg: 5.32 x 10-6
T = 293.05 K

K = 4.72 x 10-5

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G=RTlnK
G=( 8.314 1 03 ) ( 293.05 ) ln ( 4.72 1 05 )
G=24.27 KJ /mol

This calculation was repeated for the other temperature points and are listed in Table 3.

Table 3: G Values
Temperature (K)
293.05
292.95
348.25
371.25

G (KJ/mol)
24.27
24.49
34.34
37.48

3. Figure 1: Graph of lnKsp vs 1/T

-7

-8
-9
ln(Ksp) -10

f(x) = 3103.14x - 20.62

-11
-12
-13
1/T (K)

Summary: In this figure the representation of the Vant Hoff equation for this specific
reaction is shown. The line represents the trend line and its associated equation is shown
on the graph. The data points show an increase in the y-value as the x becomes larger. In
terms of temperature, the closer to zero the x-value is, the higher the temperature is. The
trend line shows an increase in solubility as temperature decreases.

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m=

H
R

R= 8.314 x 10-3 KJ/mol

H
3103.1=
3
8.314 1 0

m = 3103.1

H =25.8 KJ /mol

b=

S
R

b = -20.618

R= 8.314 J/mol
S
20.618=
8.314
S =171.42

J
molK

Therefore the standard enthalpy change was 25.8 KJ /mol

was

171.42

and the standard entropy change

J
molK .

4. Refer to discussion.
Discussion
By analyzing the calculated thermodynamic parameters of the Ca(OH)2 solution a lot can
be said about the reaction. The change in enthalpy was found to be negative signifying an
exothermic reaction and a spontaneous reaction. The change in entropy is also negative which
implies that the disorder of the system decreases stating that the reaction is not spontaneous. This
shows a conflicting result, however this reaction is spontaneous due to the second law of
thermodynamics (Zumdahl, 2009). The calculated change in free energy values were positive
numbers, which shows that the equilibrium constant that was calculated should be less than 1.

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This was found to be true as the Ksp values were all positive but they were quite small values.
When comparing the Ksp values to the increasing temperature, it was found that as temperature
increased the Ksp became smaller, implying that the solubility decreases as temperature increases.
This would have occurred because as temperatures increased the number of hydroxide ions that
dissociated from the Ca(OH)2 decreased.
This lab required the application of multiple theories and lab skills learnt throughout the
semester. This allowed for an enhanced understanding of the concepts individually and how they
are related. After preparing the Ca(OH)2 solution, a titration was performed in order to determine
the end point. This is a concept that was discussed before in both labs and lectures, however its
use in finding the enthalpy of a solution is an important relationship as it exemplifies one of the
many ways to obtain these thermodynamic values and it shows the amount of information that
can be taken away from a simple titration. Other methods to find these thermodynamic values
that were previously discussed were calorimetry and the use of galvanic cells.
Summary
The purpose of this lab was to determine the thermodynamic parameters of Ca(OH)2 in
order to identify the reaction properties. This was found by conducting a titration to find the
concentrations in order to calculate the equilibrium constant. A series of calculations followed to
determine the following values: an enthalpy of -25.8 KJ/mol and an entropy of -171.42 J/molK.
These values signify an exothermic reaction and that the solubility of Ca(OH)2 decreases as
temperature increases. These results may be skewed due to the inability of the filter paper to
filter all of the solid Ca(OH)2. This would cause an increase in the concentration of calcium in
the solution. This can be controlled for through the use of equipment that is more precise.

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References
Poe, J. Chemistry 110 Course Manual 2014-2015.p 87-93. 2014.
Standard, J. The vant Hoff Equation. http://chemistry.illinoisstate.edu/standard/che360/handou
ts/360vanthoff.pdf (Accessed Decemebr 2014).
Zumdahl, S. Chemical Principles, 6th edition; Brooks/Cole.: Belmont,CA; 2009; p 330, 415,
428.