Hello, just wondering how does the presence of a common ion affect the solubility of a salt? Please explain in terms of equilibrium.
The common ion effect describes the effect on equilibrium that occurs when a common ion ( an ion that is already contained in the solution.)is added to a solution. The common ion effect generally decrease the solubility of a solute.
If you have a solution and solute in equilibrium . Adding a common ion decreases the solubility of the solute. This is because Le Chatelier's principle states that the reaction will shift toward the left to relieve the stress of the excess product. When equilibrium is shifted toward the reactants, the solute precipitates.
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