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Question

Which one of the following represents the correct order of solubility of $Li_2CO_3$, $Na_2CO_3$, $K_2CO_3$, $Rb_2CO_3$ and $Cs_2CO_3$ in water?

The correct answer is
$Cs_2CO_3 > Rb_2CO_3 > K_2CO_3 > Na_2CO_3 > Li_2CO_3$

The solubility of alkali metal carbonates in water is an important concept in inorganic chemistry. The solubility of these compounds generally increases down the group in the periodic table due to the increase in the ionic nature and the lattice energy trend.

Alkali metals in Group 1 of the periodic table include: Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), and Cesium (Cs). Their carbonates are represented as $Li_2CO_3$, $Na_2CO_3$, $K_2CO_3$, $Rb_2CO_3$, and $Cs_2CO_3$ respectively.

Here's the explanation for the order of solubility:

  1. As we move down the group from Li to Cs, the atomic size increases, leading to lower lattice energy of the carbonate salts. Lower lattice energy means the salts can dissolve more easily in water.
  2. The solubility trend is closely tied to the hydration energy of the ions. Smaller ions like Li+ have higher hydration energy compared to larger ions like Cs+. However, the lattice energy effect predominates in carbonates.
  3. Therefore, the correct order of increasing solubility from lowest to highest is: $Li_2CO_3$, $Na_2CO_3$, $K_2CO_3$, $Rb_2CO_3$, $Cs_2CO_3$.

Based on these observations, the solubility order is observed as \(Cs_2CO_3 > Rb_2CO_3 > K_2CO_3 > Na_2CO_3 > Li_2CO_3\).

Hence, the correct answer is: $Cs_2CO_3 > Rb_2CO_3 > K_2CO_3 > Na_2CO_3 > Li_2CO_3$.

This order aligns with the general trend of increasing solubility as one moves down the group in the periodic table due to the predominant effect of decreasing lattice energy.

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Important Questions from Periodic properties

  1. Which one of the following statements regarding general properties of $s$, $p$, $d$ and $f$-block elements is NOT correct?
  2. Which of the following order(s) of ionic radii is/are correct? 

    1. $O^{2-} < S^{2-} < Se^{2-} < Te^{2-}$ 
    2. $Ti^{2+} < Ti^{3+} < Ti^{4+}$ 
    3. $O^{2-} < F^{-} < Na^{+} < Mg^{2+}$ 

    Select the answer using the code given below :

  3. Which one of the following is the correct value of the effective nuclear charge ($Z_{eff}$) for the $3d$ electron of chromium?
  4. Which one of the following is expected to possess highest electronegativity?
  5. Consider the following statements regarding catenation tendency of nitrogen : 

    1. Nitrogen has weaker catenation tendency than carbon due to repulsion between non-bonding lone pair electrons on nitrogen 
    2. Single bond energy of $CH_3-CH_3$ is much higher than $H_2N-NH_2$ 
    3. Three or more nitrogen atoms can be joined through some multiple bonds 

    Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

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