The hydroxides and carbonates of sodium and potassium are easily solub while the corresponding salts of magnesium and calcium are sparingly soluble in water  Explain

Explanation

All the compounds are crystalline solids and their solubility in water is guided by both lattice enthalpy and hydration enthalpy. The magnitude of lattice enthalpy is quite small in case of sodium and potassium compounds, hence they are readily dissolved in water, when compared to magnesium and calcium compounds. 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, when compared to the sodium and potassium compounds. Therefore, the hydroxides and carbonates of these metals are only sparingly soluble in water.