Using computer simulations to teach salt solubility - The role of entropy in solubility equilibrium

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2006

Authors

Gil, VMS (Author) Other; João Paiva (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Chemical Education

Vol. 83

Pages: 170-172

ISSN: 0021-9584

Publisher: American Chemical Society

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-Q2K

DOI: 10.1021/ed083p170

Abstract (EN): Computer simulations can be very useful in teaching chemical equilibrium like salt solubility. As a computer generated animation, Computer Simulations of Salt Solubility compares pair of compounds chosen like NaCL and CaCo3. The computer program simulates in a qualitative manner, the "before" and "after" states for the dissolution of equal amounts of NaCl and CaCO3 in identical amounts of water. Total entropy increases in the case of NaCl due to the increase of configurational disorder of salt ions. However, in the case of CaCO3, an identical effect is offset by the decrease of mobility of the water molecules associated with the dipositive calcium ion. Ion salvation is less relevant both in the case of the monocharged ions Na+ and Cl- and in the case of large ion CO3 2-. Same procedure can be done for MgCO3 and MgSO4 simulation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 3