Question #db194

1 Answer
Apr 26, 2016

In general, ionic compounds with ionic bonds are soluble in water and those that with covalent bonds are not soluble in water.

Explanation:

There are two main types of bonds, ionic and covalent.

Ionic bonds are formed between metals and nonmetals.

Ionic compounds are similar to water in that they have a positively charged portion and a negatively charged portion (the metal is positive and the nonmetal is negative).

Water has a positively charged portion (the hydrogen side) and a negatively charged portion (the oxygen side).

There is a saying in solubility chemistry: "Like dissolves like." So many ionic substances will dissolve in water.

Covalent substances are generally nonmetal elements bonded to other nonmetal elements.

They do not have a positive end and are therefore not like water.

Most covalent substances are not soluble in water.

Exceptions occur with small covalently bonded substances like alcohols and sugars: they will dissolve in water. Covalently bonded substances are more likely to dissolve in other covalent substances..