The solubility of sodium acetate is listed in reference books as 123 g/10.0 ml H2O @ 20° C. What do these numbers mean in terms of a saturated solution? Be VERY specific in your explanation.

1 Answer
Feb 1, 2018

A "saturated solution" is a solution that contains an amount of solute EQUAL....

Explanation:

A "saturated solution" is a solution that contains an amount of solute EQUAL to that amount which would be in equilibrium with undissolved solute. A temperature is specified because a hot solution can normally hold more solute than a cold one.

See here and links....

For the given sample....we gots...

Na^(+)""^(-)OAc(s) stackrel(H_2O)rarrNa^(+) + ""^(-)OAc

..for which we could write a solubility expression...

K_"sp"=[Na^+][""^(-)OAc]=??

Now S_"molar solubility", [Na^+""^(-)OAc]=((123*g)/(82.03*g*mol^-1))/(100xx10^3*L)=S_"molar solubility of sodium acetate"..the which is large, and this amount of solute specifies "a saturated solution...."