Multiple Choice
Which of the following substances is most soluble in water?
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6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions
Solubility Rules
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Which of the following ions will always be a spectator ion in a precipitation reaction according to common solubility rules?
A
SO_4^{2-}
B
Na^+
C
Ag^+
D
Cl^-
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand what a spectator ion is. Spectator ions are ions that do not participate in the formation of a precipitate during a precipitation reaction; they remain dissolved in the solution unchanged.
Step 2: Recall the common solubility rules. For example, most sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), and ammonium (NH₄⁺) salts are soluble, meaning their ions typically remain in solution and do not form precipitates.
Step 3: Analyze each ion given in the problem: SO₄²⁻, Na⁺, Ag⁺, and Cl⁻. Consider their typical solubility behavior. For instance, Na⁺ salts are generally soluble, so Na⁺ ions usually do not form precipitates.
Step 4: Identify ions that commonly form precipitates. Ag⁺ often forms insoluble salts with Cl⁻ (like AgCl), and SO₄²⁻ can form precipitates with certain cations (like Ba²⁺ or Pb²⁺). Cl⁻ can also form precipitates with Ag⁺ and other heavy metals.
Step 5: Conclude that Na⁺ ions are always spectator ions in precipitation reactions because their salts are almost always soluble, so Na⁺ remains in solution and does not form precipitates.
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