Why should an ionic solute be INSOLUBLE in water?

1 Answer
anor277
Sep 18, 2017

Well, clearly, the force of attraction between anion and cation IS GREATER than the interaction between solvent and the solvated ion....

Explanation:

And if we look at aqueous solubility, carbonates, phosphates, sulfides, and oxides, whatever the cation, TEND to be insoluble in water. And why? Because for these anions, which have a greater than unit charge, necessarily have a greater degree of electrostatic interaction, which can be clearly appreciate from #"Coulomb's law..."#

..i.e. #F=(k_e*q_1q_2)/r^2#, where #q_1,q_2# are the charges, and #r# is the distance that separates them......

Of course, aqueous solubility is an experimental phenomenon...

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