How does Ksp relate to solubility?

2 Answers
Aug 18, 2016

Ksp is the constant of or ratio of the amount of solute to solvent for any compound.

Explanation:

K sp is often written in scientific notation like 2.5 x 10^-3103

The larger the negative exponent the less soluble the compound is in solution.

The larger the real value of the Ksp the more soluble the compound is in solution 2.5 x 10^-3103 > 2.5 x 10^-6106

Aug 18, 2016

K_"sp"Ksp refers to the "solubility product"solubility product. It is another equilibrium expression.

Explanation:

For a sparingly soluble binary salt, MXMX, we may write its solubility equilibrium as:

MX(s) rightleftharpoons M^+ + X^-MX(s)M++X

K_"sp"=[M^+][X^-]Ksp=[M+][X]

Usually K_"sp"Ksp assumes standard conditions of temperature and pressure. See here for further treatment. For once I found the appropriate link.