Are salts containing lithium soluble or insoluble?

Study for the IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Are salts containing lithium soluble or insoluble?

Explanation:
Solubility in water depends on the balance between the lattice energy of the solid and the energy released when water molecules surround and hydrate the ions. Salts formed from alkali metals, including lithium, have ions that hydrate very well, and this hydration energy helps overcome the lattice energy, so they dissolve readily. In practice, salts containing lithium are soluble in water, so they form Li+ ions in solution. This is why the usual teaching is that lithium salts are soluble in water.

Solubility in water depends on the balance between the lattice energy of the solid and the energy released when water molecules surround and hydrate the ions. Salts formed from alkali metals, including lithium, have ions that hydrate very well, and this hydration energy helps overcome the lattice energy, so they dissolve readily. In practice, salts containing lithium are soluble in water, so they form Li+ ions in solution. This is why the usual teaching is that lithium salts are soluble in water.

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