The hydroxides and carbonates of sodium and potassium are easily soluble in water the corresponding compounds of magnesium and calcium are springly soluble. Explain.

Explanation

All the compounds are crystalline solids and their solubility in water is guided by both lattice enthalpy and hydration enthalpy. In case of sodium and potassium compounds, the magnitude of lattice enthalpy is quite small as compared to hydration, enthalpy since the catonic sizes are large. Therefore, the compounds of sodium and potassium that are mentioned, radily dissolve in water. However, in case of corresponding magnesium and calcium compounds, the cations have smaller sizes and more magnitude of positive charge. This means that their lattice enthalpies are more as compared to the compounds of sodium and potassium, Therefore,the hydroxides and carbonates of these metals are only sparingly soluble in water.