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...

Related questions
See all questions in Factors Affecting Solubility
Impact of this question
1338 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License