Lead pipes were used at one time for delivering drinking water. What is the maximum possible concentration of lead in this water if it comes from lead(II) hydroxide (K_sp = 2.8 * 10^-¹⁶) dissolving from the surface of the pipes? Note the EPA limit on lead in drinking water is 7.2 *10^-⁸ M.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The maximum possible concentration of lead in water that comes from lead(II) hydroxide dissolving from the surface of the pipes is 4.1 x 10^-6 M. This is because the Ksp of lead(II) hydroxide is 2.8 x 10^-16, which means that the concentration of lead(II) ions in water that is in equilibrium with lead(II) hydroxide is 4.1 x 10^-6 M.

Lead Pipes Were Used at One Time for Delivering Drinking