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Multiple Choice
Which one of the following compounds is most soluble in water?
A
NaNO_3
B
BaSO_4
C
AgCl
D
PbI_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 (sodium nitrate) is composed of Na^+ and NO_3^- ions, both of which are generally very soluble in water due to their strong hydration and low lattice energy.
Step 3: Compare the other compounds: BaSO_4, AgCl, and PbI_2 are all sparingly soluble salts because they have higher lattice energies and their ions do not interact as favorably with water molecules.
Step 4: Recall the solubility rules: nitrates (NO_3^-) are typically soluble with no exceptions, while sulfates, chlorides, and iodides have exceptions that reduce their solubility, especially with heavy metals like Ba^{2+}, Ag^+, and Pb^{2+}.
Step 5: Conclude that NaNO_3 is the most soluble compound in water among the given options because it fully dissociates and its ions are highly hydrated, making it much more soluble than BaSO_4, AgCl, or PbI_2.