Re: Solubility Rules

prfesser_at_hotmail.com
Date: 03/29/05 

Date: 28 Mar 2005 16:11:02 -0800

spamcenter@towerofknowledge.com wrote:
> I am learning chemistry on my own. I've come across "solubility
rules"
> at http://www.chem.vt.edu/RVGS/ACT/notes/solubility_rules.html
>
> I'm wondering if these are really rules predicted by equations, or
just
> observations. I would imagine they actually are rules, because
> otherwise they would be called "solubility observations", or at least
I
> would hope so. But, I don't seem to see references to any equations.
>
> James

Hi James:

They are better referred to as "guidelines" or "rules of thumb". As
another poster mentioned, there are exceptions to each "rule"---for
example, less than a gram of potassium perchlorate will dissolve in 100
mL of water---but in general they're quite useful for predicting which
compounds will be freely soluble in water, and which ones usually will
precipitate when the ions are mixed.

As you continue your studies you'll learn about equilibrium and
solubility product, wherein you'll find (also mentioned by another
poster) that even the "insoluble" compounds dissolve (to a very limited
but predictable extent) in water.

Regards -- P'rfesser

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