Which of the following is sparingly soluble in water?

Options

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

Answer

To determine which of the following is sparingly soluble in water, we will analyze the solubility of the given compounds, particularly focusing on the sulfates of the alkaline earth metals (Group 2).

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Sparingly Soluble Compounds**:
- Sparingly soluble compounds are those that do not dissolve well in water. They are partially soluble, meaning only a small amount can dissolve.

2. **List the Compounds**:
- The compounds mentioned are:
- Beryllium sulfate (BeSO₄)
- Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄)
- Calcium sulfate (CaSO₄)
- Strontium sulfate (SrSO₄)
- Barium sulfate (BaSO₄)

3. **Analyzing Solubility Trends**:
- The solubility of sulfates in water generally decreases as we move down the group in the periodic table.
- Beryllium sulfate is highly soluble due to the small size of the beryllium ion, which has a high hydration energy.
- Magnesium sulfate is also soluble in water.
- Calcium sulfate is known to be sparingly soluble.
- Strontium sulfate and barium sulfate are largely insoluble in water.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Among the sulfates listed, calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) is recognized as sparingly soluble in water. Therefore, the correct answer is:
- **C: Calcium sulfate (CaSO₄)**.