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Multiple Choice
With which of the following ions will the ammonium ion, NH_4^+, form an insoluble salt?
A
Cl^- (chloride)
B
NO_3^- (nitrate)
C
None of the above; ammonium salts are generally soluble
D
PO_4^{3-} (phosphate)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Recall the general solubility rules for ionic compounds in water, which help predict whether a salt will be soluble or insoluble.
Note that ammonium ion (NH_4^+) is a positively charged polyatomic ion known for forming soluble salts with most anions.
According to solubility rules, all ammonium salts are generally soluble in water, regardless of the anion they are paired with.
Check the given anions: chloride (Cl^-), nitrate (NO_3^-), and phosphate (PO_4^{3-}). Ammonium salts with chloride and nitrate are definitely soluble.
Even ammonium phosphate, despite phosphate often forming insoluble salts with many cations, is soluble because ammonium salts are exceptions to this rule.