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Which of the following compounds is soluble in water?

1) Sodium chloride (NaCl)
2) Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
3) Ethanol (C₂H₅OH)
4) Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Sodium chloride, ethanol, and carbon dioxide are all soluble in water, whereas calcium carbonate is generally insoluble unless in the presence of a strong acid.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the solubility of various compounds in water. To answer which of the following compounds is soluble in water, we can use general solubility rules. Solubility refers to the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent like water.

  • Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a salt with a group 1 cation (sodium, Na+), which means it's soluble in water.
  • Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is generally insoluble in water due to being a carbonate, with the exception of those formed with group 1 cations or NH₄⁺.
  • Ethanol (C2H5OH) is an organic compound with a polar hydroxyl group, which makes it miscible with water.
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gaseous compound that when coming into contact with water will form carbonic acid (H2CO3), thus dissolving to some extent.

Based on these solubility rules, sodium chloride, ethanol, and carbon dioxide are soluble in water, while calcium carbonate is not typically soluble in water unless in the presence of a strong acid.

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