Question #f3d82

2 Answers
May 13, 2015

Yes, your approach is correct.

Keep in mind, however, that both compounds will contribute to the number of moles of hydroxide ions present in the final solution.

Since you're mixing two strong bases, which by definition dissociate completely in aqueous solution, you'll get

KOH -> K^(+) + OH^(-)

and

Ca(OH)_2 -> Ca^(2+) + color(red)(2)OH^(-)

Calcium hydroxide will produce 2 moles of hydroxide ions for every mole of Ca(OH)_2.

This means that the total number of moles of OH^(-) will be

n_(OH^(-)) = 0.572 * 10^(-3) + color(red)(2) * 0.91 * 10^(-3)

n_(OH^(-)) = (0.572 + 1.82) * 10^(-3) = 2.39 * 10^(-3)"moles" OH^(-)

This is the number of moles you'll use for the final concentration of hydroxide ions

[OH^(-)] = (2.39 * cancel(10^(-3))"moles")/(15.2 * cancel(10^(-3))"L") = color(green)("0.157 M")

May 13, 2015

In order to avoid a lot of zeroes and ten-powers I usually work with milliMoles (=1/1000 Mole). You will see that in the end the milli's cancel out.
Other note: I use mL in stead of cm^3 (they're the same volume).

First solution (KOH):
5.20mL*0.110M=0.572mMol

Second solution (Ca(OH)_2):
10.0mL*0.091M=0.91mMol
Now remember Ca(OH)_2 gives off two OH^- on dissociation (that's where you went wrong), so the total

OH^-)=0.572+2*0.91=2.392mMol

This is in a volume of 5.20+10.0=15.20mL

So [OH^-]=(2.392mMol)/(15.20mL)=0.157Mol//L=0.157M