Answer to Question #209298 in General Chemistry for Neil

Question

Stones form in the urinary tract when certain chemicals become too concentrated in urine. By far the most common kidney stones are those formed from calcium and oxalate. Magnesium is known to inhibit the formation of kidney stones. (a) The solubility of calcium oxalate (CaC2O4) in urine is 9x10^-5 M. What is the solubility product, Ksp, of CaC2O4 in urine?

Answer 1

These crystals are made from oxalate — a substance found in foods like green, leafy vegetables — combined with calcium. Having too much oxalate or too little urine can cause the oxalate to crystalize and clump together into stones.