Chapter 18, Problem 124E

Gout—a condition that results in joint swelling and pain—is caused by the formation of sodium urate (NaC₅H₃N₄O₃) crystals within tendons, cartilage, and ligaments. Sodium urate precipitates out of blood plasma when uric acid levels become abnormally high. This can happen as a result of eating too many rich foods and consuming too much alcohol, which is why gout is sometimes referred to as the “disease of kings.” If the sodium concentration in blood plasma is 0.140 M and K_spfor sodium urate is $\text{5}{\text{.76 × 10}}^{-8}$ , what minimum concentration of urate results in precipitation?