The common ion effect refers to the decrease in solubility of an ionic compound when a common ion is added to the solution. This phenomenon is a direct consequence of Le Chatelier's principle, which states that a system at equilibrium will adjust to counteract changes. For example, adding sodium chloride (NaCl) to a saturated solution of silver chloride (AgCl) reduces the solubility of AgCl due to the presence of the common ion chloride (Cl-). Understanding this effect is crucial for applications in chemistry, particularly in precipitation reactions and buffer solutions.
PREREQUISITESChemistry students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding solubility principles and their applications in chemical reactions.