What is the remaining concentration of the cation that precipitates first, when the other cation just begins to precipitate? consider a solution that is 2.3*10-2 m in fe2 + and 2.0*10-2 m in mg2+?

Ksp for FeCO₃ is 3.07 x 10⁻¹¹

Ksp for MgCO₃ is 6.82 x 10⁻⁶

So Fe²⁺ will precipitated first as solubility product of FeCO₃ is lower than solubility product of MgCO₃

Ksp FeCO₃ = [Fe²⁺][CO₃²⁻]

3.07 x 10⁻¹¹ = (2.3 x 10⁻²) [CO₃²⁻]

[CO₃²⁻] = 1.33 x 10⁻⁹ M to precipitate Fe²⁺ ions

Ksp MgCO₃ = [Mg²⁺][CO₃²⁻]

6.82 x 10⁻⁶ = (2.0 x 10⁻²) [CO₃²⁻]

[CO₃²⁻] = 3.4 x 10⁻⁴ M to precipitate the Mg²⁺ ions

Ksp FeCO₃ = [Fe²⁺][CO₃²⁻]

3.07 x 10⁻¹¹ = [Fe²⁺] (3.4 x 10⁻⁴)

[Fe²⁺] = 9 x 10⁻⁸ M when Mg²⁺ ions precipitate