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Which ionic solid is more soluble, H2O or CCl4, and why?

A. H2O because it has a higher dielectric constant.
B. CCl4 because it is nonpolar.
C. H2O because of its hydrogen bonding properties.
D. CCl4 because of its low molecular weight.

User DDV
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The solubility of ionic solids is higher in water (H2O) rather than carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) because water is a polar solvent with a high dielectric constant and can form hydrogen bonds, making it capable of dissolving many ionic and polar substances effectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking which ionic solid is more soluble, with the options being H2O (water) or CCl4 (carbon tetrachloride). The statement in the question might be confusing because H2O and CCl4 are not ionic solids; they are molecular compounds. However, when considering the solubility of ionic solids, it's important to discuss the solvents in which they would dissolve. Ionic compounds typically dissolve in polar solvents due to the electrostatic attraction between the ions and the polar solvent molecules. Water (H2O) is a polar solvent and is known as the universal solvent because of its ability to dissolve many ionic and polar substances. This is due to water's high dielectric constant and its ability to form hydrogen bonds with the ions, enabling it to surround and separate them effectively.



Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), on the other hand, is a nonpolar solvent and does not have the capability to dissolve ionic compounds as effectively as polar solvents. Thus, it would not be accurate to say that an ionic solid is more soluble in CCl4. Therefore, the more accurate answer regarding the solubility of ionic solids is that they are more soluble in water (H2O), predominantly due to its high dielectric constant and hydrogen bonding properties, making option A the correct choice.

User Fasani
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