Which compound is insoluble in water

In other cases, the electrostatic attractions between the ions in a crystal are so large, or the ion-dipole attractive forces between the ions and water molecules are so weak, that the increase in disorder cannot compensate for the energy required to separate the ions, and the crystal is insoluble.

Such is the case for compounds such as calcium carbonate limestone , calcium phosphate the inorganic component of bone , and iron oxide rust. Some combinations of aqueous reactants result in the formation of a solid precipitate as a product. However, some combinations will not produce such a product. If solutions of sodium nitrate and ammonium chloride are mixed, no reaction occurs. One could write a molecular equation showing a double-replacement reaction, but both products, sodium chloride and ammonium nitrate, are soluble and would remain in the solution as ions.

Every ion is a spectator ion and there is no net ionic equation at all. It is useful to be able to predict when a precipitate will occur in a reaction. As an example on how to use the solubility rules, predict if a precipitate will form when solutions of cesium bromide and lead II nitrate are mixed. The potential precipitates from a double-replacement reaction are cesium nitrate and lead II bromide.

According to the solubility rules table, cesium nitrate is soluble because all compounds containing the nitrate ion, as well as all compounds containing the alkali metal ions, are soluble. Most compounds containing the bromide ion are soluble, but lead II is an exception. Therefore, the cesium and nitrate ions are spectator ions and the lead II bromide is a precipitate. The balanced net ionic reaction is:.

Salts of alkali metals and ammonium , as well as those of nitrate and acetate, are always soluble. Carbonates, hydroxides, sulfates, phosphates, and heavy metal salts are often insoluble. Boundless vets and curates high-quality, openly licensed content from around the Internet. This particular resource used the following sources:.

Skip to main content. Aqueous Reactions. Search for:. Key Points Solubility is the relative ability of a solute to dissolve into a solvent. Several factors affect the solubility of a given solute in a given solvent. Temperature often plays the largest role, although pressure can have a significant effect for gases.

Thanks for you question regarding solubility in water. Polar molecules are often soluble in water as they are "like" water. The general rule for solubility is: "likes dissolve likes. Related questions Why compounds of transition metals are coloured? What compounds conduct electricity? Are compounds considered pure substances? What compounds are electrolytes? What compounds are hydrophobic? How can I calculate the molar mass of a compound? How can compounds be broken down?