What is the Difference Between Soluble and Insoluble Salts?

The main difference between soluble and insoluble salts is their ability to dissolve in water at room temperature. Soluble salts dissolve in water, producing a solution with a homogeneous composition, while insoluble salts do not dissolve in water and remain as a solid in the solution.

Soluble Salts:

• Can dissolve in water at room temperature.
• Examples include sodium chloride, potassium nitrate, and calcium chloride.

Insoluble Salts:

• Cannot dissolve in water at room temperature.
• Examples include calcium carbonate, lead sulfate, and iron (III) hydroxide.

There are some general rules for predicting the solubility of salts in water:

1. All common sodium, potassium, and ammonium salts are soluble.
2. All nitrates are soluble.
3. Common chlorides are soluble, except silver chloride.
4. Common sulfates are soluble, except those of barium and calcium.
5. Common carbonates are insoluble, except those of sodium, potassium, and ammonium.

Some common examples of soluble salts include sodium chloride, potassium nitrate, and calcium chloride. Some common examples of insoluble salts include calcium carbonate, lead sulfate, and iron (III) hydroxide.

Comparative Table: Soluble vs Insoluble Salts

The main difference between soluble and insoluble salts is their ability to dissolve in water at room temperature. Soluble salts can dissolve in water, while insoluble salts cannot. Here is a comparison table of their characteristics:

Soluble salts are polar, which allows them to dissolve in water, a polar solvent. Examples of soluble salts include sodium chloride, potassium nitrate, and calcium chloride.

Insoluble salts, on the other hand, are nonpolar and do not dissolve in water at room temperature. They remain as a solid in the solution, and their mixing with water does not make the solution conductive. Examples of insoluble salts include calcium carbonate, lead sulfate, and iron (III) hydroxide.