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Question 37

What is the molar solubility of Al(OH)$$_3$$ in 0.2 M NaOH solution? Given that, solubility product of Al(OH)$$_3$$ = $$2.4 \times 10^{-24}$$:

We begin by writing the dissolution equilibrium of solid aluminium hydroxide in water:

$$\mathrm{Al(OH)_3(s) \rightleftharpoons Al^{3+}(aq) + 3\,OH^{-}(aq)}$$

If the molar solubility of $$\mathrm{Al(OH)_3}$$ in the given solution is $$s\ \text{mol L}^{-1}$$, then at equilibrium

$$[\,\mathrm{Al^{3+}}\,] = s$$

and the dissolution itself would contribute $$3s$$ moles per litre of hydroxide ions. However, the solution already contains hydroxide ions coming from the added sodium hydroxide:

$$[\mathrm{OH^-}]_{\text{initial}} = 0.2\ \text{M}$$

Therefore the total hydroxide-ion concentration at equilibrium will be

$$[\mathrm{OH^-}] = 0.2 + 3s$$

Because 0.2 M is many orders of magnitude larger than the tiny solubility we are about to compute, we may safely approximate

$$[\mathrm{OH^-}] \approx 0.2\ \text{M}$$

Now we invoke the definition of the solubility product. For the equilibrium shown, the expression is

$$K_{sp} = [\mathrm{Al^{3+}}]\,[\mathrm{OH^-}]^{3}$$

Substituting the equilibrium concentrations we have just established,

$$2.4 \times 10^{-24} = s\,(0.2)^{3}$$

We evaluate the cube of 0.2 first:

$$0.2^{3} = 0.2 \times 0.2 \times 0.2 = 0.008$$

Inserting this numerical value, the equation becomes

$$2.4 \times 10^{-24} = s \times 0.008$$

To isolate $$s$$, we divide both sides by 0.008:

$$s = \frac{2.4 \times 10^{-24}}{0.008}$$

Since $$0.008 = 8 \times 10^{-3}$$, the division can be performed as follows:

$$s = \frac{2.4}{8}\times10^{-24+3} = 0.3 \times 10^{-21}$$

Rewriting $$0.3 \times 10^{-21}$$ in proper scientific notation gives

$$s = 3 \times 10^{-22}\ \text{mol L}^{-1}$$

This quantity is the molar solubility of aluminium hydroxide in 0.2 M sodium hydroxide solution.

Hence, the correct answer is Option D.

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