Question

Is `"lead(II) sulfide"` soluble in aqueous solution? How would we represent the reaction?

Answer 1

`PbS(s) rightleftharpoonsPb^(2+) + S^(-2)`

Explanation:

The given equilibrium lies strongly to the left, as `PbS` is very insoluble. Nevertheless, the ions in solution are `Pb^(2+)` and `S^(2-)`. The extent of the equilibrium could be measured if we know `K_(sp)` for lead sulfide.

This site reports that `K_(sp)=9.04xx10^29` for `PbS`, which is truly a low number.

Of course in the solid state, we would say that `PbS` is composed of `Pb^(2+)` and `S^(2-)` ions.