Question #db194
1 Answer
In general, ionic compounds with ionic bonds are soluble in water and those that with covalent bonds are not soluble in water.
Explanation:
There are two main types of bonds, ionic and covalent.
Ionic bonds are formed between metals and nonmetals.
Ionic compounds are similar to water in that they have a positively charged portion and a negatively charged portion (the metal is positive and the nonmetal is negative).
Water has a positively charged portion (the hydrogen side) and a negatively charged portion (the oxygen side).
There is a saying in solubility chemistry: "Like dissolves like." So many ionic substances will dissolve in water.
Covalent substances are generally nonmetal elements bonded to other nonmetal elements.
They do not have a positive end and are therefore not like water.
Most covalent substances are not soluble in water.
Exceptions occur with small covalently bonded substances like alcohols and sugars: they will dissolve in water. Covalently bonded substances are more likely to dissolve in other covalent substances..
