Question

Why are ionic compounds are soluble in water but insoluble in kerosene?

Answer 1

Understanding the concept:

• Ionic compounds are compounds that are formed by a complete transfer of electrons from one atom to another atom.
• Water and other ionic compounds are polar in nature.
• When metals and nonmetals react, ionic compounds are formed.
• $\mathrm{NaCl},{\mathrm{MgCl}}_2,{\mathrm{CaCl}}_2\mathrm{etc}\mathrm{are}\mathrm{examples}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{ionic}\mathrm{compounds}\mathrm{and}\mathrm{are}\mathrm{polar}\mathrm{in}\mathrm{nature}.$
• Kerosene is nonpolar in nature.

Explanation of solubility of an ionic compound in water not in kerosene:

• As we know like dissolves like.
• Because water has a stronger ionic binding and is polar, it destroys the ionic bond by hydrogen bonding.
• Many other solvents, like kerosene and petrol, are unable to disrupt the ionic connection.
• As a result, they cannot be dissolved, and they all have covalent bonds that are non-polar in nature.