Suppose the hydration energy for an ionic compound is much less than the energy required to pull apart the lattice. Is such a compound likely to be soluble or insoluble in water? Explain your answer.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The ionic compound is likely to be insoluble in water because its hydration energy is much less than the lattice energy. This implies that the energy released from forming new interactions with water molecules is not sufficient to overcome the energy required to break the ionic lattice apart, making it energetically unfavorable for the compound to dissolve in water.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Hydration Energy

Hydration energy is the energy released when an ionic compound dissolves in water. The greater the hydration energy, the more energy is released when the compound dissolves, which makes it more likely to be soluble.
02

Understanding Lattice Energy

Lattice energy is the energy required to break the ionic bonds in a solid compound, separating the ions into individual isolated ions. The greater the lattice energy, the more difficult it is to break apart the ionic lattice, making the compound less likely to dissolve in water.
03

Comparing Hydration and Lattice Energy

If the hydration energy is much less than the lattice energy, it means that the energy released from forming new interactions with water molecules is not sufficient to overcome the energy required to break the ionic lattice apart. In this case, it is energetically unfavorable for the compound to dissolve in water.
04

Solubility of the Ionic Compound

Since the hydration energy is much less than the lattice energy, it is not energetically favorable for the compound to dissolve in water. As a result, the ionic compound is likely to be insoluble in water.

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