Carbonates are insoluble in water except when paired with which cation?

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Multiple Choice

Carbonates are insoluble in water except when paired with which cation?

Explanation:
Carbonates are generally insoluble in water, but carbonates of alkali metals dissolve because their ions interact with water strongly enough to overcome the lattice energy of the solid. The sodium cation is one of these alkali metal ions, so sodium carbonate forms when paired with a carbonate and dissolves readily in water. In contrast, carbonates of calcium, magnesium, and iron have higher lattice energies and do not hydrate as effectively, so they remain largely insoluble. That’s why pairing a carbonate with sodium makes it soluble.

Carbonates are generally insoluble in water, but carbonates of alkali metals dissolve because their ions interact with water strongly enough to overcome the lattice energy of the solid. The sodium cation is one of these alkali metal ions, so sodium carbonate forms when paired with a carbonate and dissolves readily in water. In contrast, carbonates of calcium, magnesium, and iron have higher lattice energies and do not hydrate as effectively, so they remain largely insoluble. That’s why pairing a carbonate with sodium makes it soluble.

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