Which of the following elements’ salts are most soluble?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is option 3. Sodium.
The solubility is the ability of a compound, it may be a liquid, solid or gaseous substance to dissolve in the solvent and there is a formation of a solution.
o The solubility is mainly dependent upon the solvent, hydration energy, lattice energy, temperature, and pressure.
o The solubility of a compound mainly depends upon the hydration energy and lattice energy.
o If the hydration energy of the compound is greater than lattice energy, the solubility is more.
■ Hydration energy (also hydration enthalpy) is the amount of energy released when one mole of ions undergo hydration.
■Lattice energy is defined as the amount of energy required to completely separate one mole of a solid ionic compound into a gaseous constituent.
o The hydration energy of sodium is greater than its lattice energy.
o And the size of sodium ions is smaller than potassium and other ions.
o Therefore, the sodium ion can easily create a hydration sphere around the ion than other ions.
• The sodium atom readily reacts with water and it dissolves in it.