Which statement about Ksp is true?

Which statement about Ksp is true?

• A. It includes all components in a reaction
• B. It is temperature dependent
• C. It is always equal to 1
• D. It is affected by changes in concentration

Answer: (B)

The solubility product constant (Ksp) is indeed temperature dependent, which makes the statement true. Ksp is a form of equilibrium constant that represents the solubility of a sparingly soluble salt in a saturated solution at a specified temperature. As temperature changes, it can alter the solubility of some salts, which in turn changes their Ksp value. This occurs because, for many salts, solubility increases or decreases with temperature due to the dynamics of the dissolution process, which is influenced by factors such as enthalpy changes and solvation energy. Therefore, at different temperatures, you can expect different Ksp values for the same compound. Understanding the temperature dependence of Ksp is crucial for predicting how solubility changes with temperature and thus how it influences chemical equilibria involving solubility in various scenarios.

The solubility product constant (Ksp) is indeed temperature dependent, which makes the statement true. Ksp is a form of equilibrium constant that represents the solubility of a sparingly soluble salt in a saturated solution at a specified temperature. As temperature changes, it can alter the solubility of some salts, which in turn changes their Ksp value.

This occurs because, for many salts, solubility increases or decreases with temperature due to the dynamics of the dissolution process, which is influenced by factors such as enthalpy changes and solvation energy. Therefore, at different temperatures, you can expect different Ksp values for the same compound.

Understanding the temperature dependence of Ksp is crucial for predicting how solubility changes with temperature and thus how it influences chemical equilibria involving solubility in various scenarios.