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Multiple Choice
Which of the following compounds is most soluble in water?
A
BaSO_4
B
AgCl
C
NaNO_3
D
PbBr_2
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand that solubility in water depends on the compound's ability to dissociate into ions and the lattice energy of the solid. Ionic compounds with highly soluble ions tend to dissolve better in water.
Step 2: Recognize that NaNO_3 is an ionic compound composed of Na^+ and NO_3^- ions, both of which are known to form highly soluble salts in water due to their strong hydration and relatively low lattice energy.
Step 3: Compare the solubility of the other compounds: BaSO_4, AgCl, and PbBr_2 are all sparingly soluble salts because their lattice energies are relatively high and their ions do not hydrate as effectively, leading to low solubility in water.
Step 4: Recall common solubility rules: nitrates (NO_3^-) are generally soluble with no exceptions, while sulfates, chlorides, and bromides have exceptions involving Ba^{2+}, Ag^+, and Pb^{2+}, which form insoluble or slightly soluble salts.
Step 5: Conclude that NaNO_3 is the most soluble compound in water among the given options because it follows the solubility rules for nitrates and dissociates completely, unlike the other compounds which are limited by their lattice energies and ion interactions.