Solubility Calculator

Calculate molar solubility from Ksp. Find how many moles of a sparingly soluble salt dissolve per liter. Covers MX, MX2, M2X, M2X3 salt types.

💧 Equilibrium📐 s from Ksp based on salt type🧪 Chemistry
Ksp value
Salt type (formula type)
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Formula & Reference

VariableSymbolFormulaUnits
Solubility CalculatorSee formulas from Ksp based on salt typemol/L

Step-by-Step Examples

Example 1
AgCl MX type

Ksp(AgCl)=1.8x10^-10. MX salt.

  • Ksp = s^2
  • s = sqrt(1.8x10^-10) = 1.34x10^-5 mol/L
✓ s(AgCl) = 1.34x10^-5 mol/L = 1.93 mg/L
Example 2
CaF2 MX2 type

Ksp(CaF2)=3.9x10^-11. Salt type MX2 (1 Ca^2+ and 2 F^-).

  • Ksp = [Ca^2+][F^-]^2 = s(2s)^2 = 4s^3
  • s = (3.9x10^-11/4)^(1/3) = (9.75x10^-12)^(1/3)
  • s = 2.14x10^-4 mol/L
✓ s(CaF2) = 2.14x10^-4 mol/L
Example 3
Ag2CrO4 M2X type

Ksp(Ag2CrO4)=1.12x10^-12. M2X salt.

  • Ksp = [Ag+]^2[CrO4^2-] = (2s)^2(s) = 4s^3
  • s = (1.12x10^-12/4)^(1/3) = 6.54x10^-5 mol/L
✓ s(Ag2CrO4) = 6.54x10^-5 mol/L

Real-World Applications

💧
Water Treatment
Molar solubility determines maximum concentration of ions before precipitation occurs.
💊
Drug Formulation
Poorly soluble drugs may need salt forms with higher Ksp for adequate bioavailability.
🌊
Environmental Chemistry
Heavy metal precipitation in wastewater depends on metal hydroxide and carbonate Ksp values.
🧪
Analytical Chemistry
Gravimetric analysis requires solubility < 0.1 mg to be quantitative.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

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Match salt type to formula

CaF2 is MX2 (1 Ca^2+, 2 F^-), not MX. Wrong type gives wrong s.

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Ksp very sensitive to conditions

Ksp changes with temperature and ionic strength. Values in tables are at 25 C, infinite dilution.

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Solubility in grams per liter

Multiply molar solubility (mol/L) by molar mass (g/mol) to get g/L or mg/L.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is molar solubility?
Moles of salt that dissolve per liter of pure water at equilibrium. Different from Ksp, which is the product of equilibrium ion concentrations.
What Ksp values mean practically?
Ksp > 10^-3: moderately soluble. 10^-6 to 10^-3: sparingly soluble. < 10^-6: essentially insoluble. AgCl: 1.8x10^-10 (very insoluble).
How does temperature affect Ksp?
Most Ksp values increase with temperature (endothermic dissolution). Exceptions: CaSO4 becomes less soluble above ~40 C.
How do I convert molar solubility to g/L?
Multiply s (mol/L) by M (g/mol). AgCl: s = 1.34x10^-5 mol/L x 143.3 g/mol = 1.92x10^-3 g/L = 1.92 mg/L.
What is the difference between solubility and Ksp?
Solubility (s) = moles that dissolve per liter. Ksp = product of ion concentrations at equilibrium. Ksp = s^2 for MX; Ksp = 4s^3 for MX2.

Related Chemistry Calculators

Formula Explorer connections

Interpretation: This formula describes how reactants, products, ions or phases distribute when opposing processes reach equilibrium. Assumption: Use equilibrium rather than initial concentrations, correct stoichiometric exponents, and the specified temperature; activities may replace concentrations in nonideal systems.

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