Chapter 17, Problem 128RQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The age of a stalagmite accumulated from a saturated solution of calcium carbonate is to be calculated.

Concept Introduction:

The solubility product constant $\left({\text{K}}_{\text{sp}}\right)$ is the degree to which a compound dissociates in water. The ${\text{K}}_{\text{sp}}$ of a salt is the product of concentration in terms of ions of the salt. The concentration of each ion in the solubility product is the measure of solubility of the ions in the solution.

Stalagmite is the accumulation of minerals on the floor of a cave generally due to the precipitation of minerals from the water dripping through the years. They are mounted upwards.