Question

Is KHTar more soluble in water or in 0.10M NaNO3? Explain in terms of the intermolecular forces experienced by the solute ions.

Answer 1

Solubility of KHT is more in 0.10 M NaNO₃ than in water.

Reason:

Inorder for an ion to dissolve in water it must cause some ordering or structure in the water molecules. This is because the positive ends of water (H atoms) are going to be attracted towards any negative ions, and the negative ends (O atoms) to any positive ions. The greater the amount of ions present in water, the more structured the water will be. This will make it eaiser for other ions dissolve. This polarity effect enhances solubility. So, in general, non reacting ions cause an increase in activity and thus solubility of ionic solids. The greater the concentration of ions, the more this effect takes place and so the greater the activity of the ions becomes.