Which of the following compounds are readily soluble in water?

Options

A. `BeSO_(4)`
B. `MgSO_(4)`
C. `BaSO_(4)`
D. `SrSO_(4)`

Answer

A, B

Explanation

Solubility of sulphates of alkaline earth metals in water decreases from Be to `Ba. BeSO_(4)` are fairly soluble while `BaSO_(4)` is almost completely insoluble. The decreasing solubility of `BeSO_(4)` to `BaSO_(4)` can be explained on the basis of decreasing hydration energy from `Be^(2+)` to `Ba^(2+)` (as size increases). For `BeSO_(4)` and `MgSO_(4)`, hydration energy is more than lattice energy and so they are readily soluble.