Why is Pure Water Most Soluble for AgCl?

In summary, pure water is the most soluble for AgCl due to its high dielectric constant and ability to easily accommodate the dissociated Ag+ and Cl- ions. The purity of water also affects the solubility of AgCl, as impurities can compete with the ions for water molecules. Additionally, temperature plays a role in the solubility of AgCl in pure water. While other solvents can dissolve AgCl to some extent, pure water still has the highest solubility due to its unique structure and polarity. Understanding the solubility of AgCl in pure water is significant for various applications, such as water purification and understanding the behavior of other ionic compounds in water.
  • #1
RoboNerd
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Homework Statement


In which one of the following solutions is silver chloride the most soluble?

A) 0.181 M HCl B) 0.0176 M NH3 C) 0.744 M LiNO3 D) pure water E) 0.181 M NaCl

Homework Equations


the Ksp expression for the dissolution of AgCl is:

Ksp = [Ag+][Cl-]

The Attempt at a Solution



Could anyone please explain why the answer pure water is correct versus the other answers?

I have no idea why that is the answer.

Thanks in advance.
 
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  • #2
Well --- I suspect you've picked up an errant text --- it's really supposed to be the ammonia solution.
 

1. Why is pure water the most soluble for AgCl?

Pure water is the most soluble for AgCl because it has a high dielectric constant, which means it has a strong ability to dissolve ionic compounds. AgCl is an ionic compound that dissociates into Ag+ and Cl- ions in water. The strong interactions between these ions and water molecules allow for high solubility of AgCl in pure water.

2. How does the purity of water affect the solubility of AgCl?

The purity of water plays a significant role in the solubility of AgCl. Impurities in water, such as other dissolved ions, can compete with the Ag+ and Cl- ions for the water molecules, decreasing the solubility of AgCl. Pure water, on the other hand, has no competing ions and can easily accommodate the Ag+ and Cl- ions, increasing the solubility of AgCl.

3. Are there any other factors that contribute to pure water being the most soluble for AgCl?

Yes, temperature also plays a role in the solubility of AgCl in pure water. As temperature increases, the kinetic energy of the water molecules also increases, allowing for more frequent and stronger interactions with the Ag+ and Cl- ions. This leads to higher solubility of AgCl in pure water at higher temperatures.

4. Can other solvents besides water dissolve AgCl?

Yes, other solvents can dissolve AgCl to some extent, but pure water still has the highest solubility for this compound. This is because water has a unique structure and polarity, making it an excellent solvent for polar and ionic compounds like AgCl. Other solvents may not have the same interactions with Ag+ and Cl- ions, resulting in lower solubility.

5. What is the significance of understanding why pure water is most soluble for AgCl?

Understanding the solubility of AgCl in pure water is important for various scientific and practical applications. For example, it helps in the purification of water, as AgCl is often used in water treatment processes. It also has implications in understanding the behavior of other ionic compounds in water and designing more efficient and effective solvents for different chemical reactions.

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