Question icon
Grade 11Physical Chemistry

calculate the equivalent weight of k 2 So4 into al2 So4 thrice into 24 H2O

Profile image of aadi
8 Years agoGrade 11
Answers icon

1 Answer

Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer1 Year ago

To calculate the equivalent weight of potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄) in the context of aluminum sulfate (Al₂(SO₄)₃) and water (H₂O), we need to break down the components and understand how to find the equivalent weight of the compound in question. Let's go through this step by step.

Understanding Equivalent Weight

Equivalent weight is defined as the mass of a substance that will combine with or displace one mole of hydrogen atoms (or 8 grams of oxygen). For salts, it can often be calculated using the formula:

Equivalent Weight = Molar Mass / n

where n is the number of moles of reactive units (like ions) that one mole of the compound can provide in a reaction.

Step 1: Calculate the Molar Mass of K₂SO₄

First, we need to find the molar mass of potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄). The molar masses of the individual elements are approximately:

  • Potassium (K): 39.1 g/mol
  • Sulfur (S): 32.1 g/mol
  • Oxygen (O): 16.0 g/mol

Now, we can calculate the molar mass:

Molar Mass of K₂SO₄ = 2(K) + 1(S) + 4(O)

Molar Mass = 2(39.1) + 32.1 + 4(16.0) = 174.3 g/mol

Step 2: Determine the Number of Reactive Units (n)

In the case of K₂SO₄, it dissociates into 2 potassium ions (K⁺) and 1 sulfate ion (SO₄²⁻) when dissolved in water. Therefore, the total number of reactive units is:

n = 2 (for K⁺) + 1 (for SO₄²⁻) = 3

Step 3: Calculate the Equivalent Weight of K₂SO₄

Now that we have both the molar mass and the number of reactive units, we can find the equivalent weight:

Equivalent Weight of K₂SO₄ = Molar Mass / n

Equivalent Weight = 174.3 g/mol / 3 = 58.1 g/equiv

Considering Al₂(SO₄)₃ and Water

While the question mentions aluminum sulfate (Al₂(SO₄)₃) and water (H₂O), the calculation for K₂SO₄ remains independent unless we are looking at a specific reaction involving these compounds. If you need to relate K₂SO₄ to Al₂(SO₄)₃ or water, please clarify the context, such as a specific reaction or stoichiometry you are interested in.

Summary

The equivalent weight of potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄) is calculated to be approximately 58.1 g/equiv. This value is essential for understanding how K₂SO₄ behaves in chemical reactions, particularly in stoichiometric calculations involving other compounds like aluminum sulfate or in solutions.