Essay On Solubility Of Hydroxyapatite

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Human bones and teeth are known for their strong and dense structures. The major component that is being responsible for this property is a mineral called hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite is a mineral that forms through a controlled process of crystalline solid apatite and other various elements. The importance of proper proportions in this process is very significant: all elements (calcium, phosphorous, oxygen, and other ions) need to be available with an adequate amount. 1
In this experiment, solid calcium nitrate, solid diammonium hydrogen phosphate, and aqueous ammonia are used to form calcium hydroxyapatite.

10 Ca(NO3)2 (s) + 6 (NH4)2(HPO4) (s) + 8NH3 (aq) + 2H­2O (l) à Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 (s) + 20(NH4)(NO3) (aq)

The product will then be tested in acidic solutions to investigate the solubility of calcium hydroxyapatite. In biological system, hydroxyapatite dissolution increases in the environment where pH level is less than 7. As a result, less hydroxyapatite will be available for the formation of teeth and bones. To minimize the loss of …show more content…

We collected 0.994 g of (NH4)2HPO4, which was less than our initial calculations recommended. This caused the (NH4)2HPO4 to be the limiting reagent in our reaction instead of the hydrate, which lowered the amount of hydroxyapatite produced. While transferring the reaction solution into the vacuum filter, some of it was left behind on the walls of the beaker. Also when we took filtered product out of the vacuum funnel, some product was lost, causing our weighed mass of the product to be less than was actually produced in the reaction.. Lastly, while testing the solubility of the product in acid, we did not record the amount of product dissolved in the acids, and so we lost an unknown amount of product in this step as well. All of these losses of product will contribute to a lower percent yield calculation when we weigh the dry sample of the

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