# Homework Help: Concentration of solutions

1. Jun 2, 2012

### Saitama

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Available are 1L of 0.1M NaCl and 2L of 0.2M CaCl2 solutions. Using only these two solutions what maximum volume of a solution can be prepared having [Cl-]=0.34M exactly. Both electrolytes are strong.
a)2.5L
b)2.4L
c)2.3L
d)None

2. Relevant equations
NaCl-->Na++Cl-
CaCl2-->Ca2++2Cl-

3. The attempt at a solution
I have no idea on how to start with this one. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

2. Jun 2, 2012

### I like Serena

Hey Pranav! :)

Let's see... what can we do...?

A. We can mix the solutions together
B. We can let some of the volume vaporize, but I'm not sure if we're allowed to do that.

What molarity do you get for instance if you mix everything together?

3. Jun 2, 2012

### chemisttree

You have 2L of .2 M CaCl2 but what concentration of Cl- do you have for this reagent?

4. Jun 2, 2012

### Staff: Mentor

Evaporation is most likely out of the question.

5. Jun 2, 2012

### Saitama

Yes, Evaporation is out of the question.

We have 0.1 moles of NaCl from which we get 0.1 moles of Cl- ions. Similarly we have 0.4 moles of CaCl2, from which we can obtain 0.8 moles of Cl-. If we mix both of the solutions together, we get 0.9 moles of Cl- ions and total volume becomes 3L. Therefore, molarity of Cl- ions is 0.3M.

@chemisttree: From CaCl2 we have 0.4M concentration of Cl- ions.

6. Jun 2, 2012

### Infinitum

Yep.

Now, conserve number of moles in the equation, before after getting the solution. Call the initial volume of chlorine ions from NaCl as V1, and CaCl2 V2, and proceed.

7. Jun 2, 2012

### Saitama

Before mixing the moles for chlorine ions are 0.9.
I am confused, how should i form the equation here?

8. Jun 2, 2012

### Infinitum

Yes, but that is the moles for both the solutions together. You only need to conserve moles of the volume you are using

9. Jun 2, 2012

### Saitama

So you mean the initial moles are 0.1V1+0.4V2?
But how could i conserve the moles here, i need to something like initial moles=final moles, how should i go on making an equation for final moles?

10. Jun 2, 2012

### Infinitum

Yes, that's the initial moles. For final moles, you are already given the final concentration of chlorine, and volume doesn't tend to run away anywhere or manifest itself out of nothing (conserve volume!!)

11. Jun 2, 2012

### Saitama

0.1V1+0.4V2=0.34(V1+V2)

I have two variables, i need one more equation.

12. Jun 2, 2012

### Infinitum

Well, this equation gives you a relation between V1 and V2. Now you also have a limited amount of NaCl and CaCl2. Use these constraints!

13. Jun 2, 2012

### Saitama

I get a relation $V_1=\frac{23}{12}V_2$ which is approximately $V_1=2V_2$.

I still can't figure out, how these constraints are going to help me?

EDIT: One relation i get is that V2 should be less than or equal to 1/2 since we do not have more than 1L of NaCl, but still i don't understand how this will help me.

Last edited: Jun 2, 2012
14. Jun 2, 2012

### Staff: Mentor

Technically you are diluting CaCl2 solution, and you want to prepare as much of the final solution as possible. That means you need to use all 2L of the CaCl2 solution, doesn't it?

15. Jun 2, 2012

### Infinitum

Recheck your calculations, this seems to be incorrect.

One of the volumes will get exhausted because you just dont have enough, meaning that CaCl2 will be used up fully, while from that relation(after you get the calculations correct! ) you can find the amount of NaCl to go along with it.

16. Jun 2, 2012

### Saitama

Before doing the algebraic stuff and making equations, i thought of this but then i got stuck on finding the volume we need to use from NaCl.

17. Jun 2, 2012

### Saitama

Oh yes, sorry about that, the relation is V1=V2/4.

Therefore the volume from NaCl is 0.5L?

18. Jun 2, 2012

### Infinitum

Yep!

19. Jun 2, 2012

### Saitama

But what if the question asked about only 0.1 M Chlorine ions at the end?

20. Jun 2, 2012

### Infinitum

Isn't it obvious then??

CaCl2 would give you 0.1M Cl concentration for half liter of water. NaCl gives you 0.1 M for one liter of water. And you need maximum volume....

21. Jun 2, 2012

### Saitama

Oops, sorry to ask you such a foolish question.