Ksp / solubility product
MCAT glossary · MCAT
Definition
K for dissolution equilibrium; comparing Q to Ksp determines saturation (Q < Ksp: dissolve more; Q > Ksp: precipitate).
Ksp / solubility product in plain English
Ksp tells you how much of a "barely dissolvable" solid can actually dissolve in water before the water is full and can't hold any more. Picture stirring salt into a glass: at some point extra salt just sits on the bottom because the water is saturated. To predict what happens, you compare a live measurement called Q to the fixed limit Ksp: if Q < Ksp the water isn't full yet so more dissolves, and if Q > Ksp there's too much dissolved so some falls back out as solid (precipitates).
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