Which alkaline earth metal sulfate has the lowest solubility in water at 25 degrees Celsius?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Barium sulfate
Sulfate solubility of Group 2 metals decreases down the group (MgSO4 > CaSO4 > SrSO4 > BaSO4) because the hydration energy of the cation decreases much faster than the lattice energy. BaSO4 is virtually insoluble (Ksp ~ 1.1 x 10^-10).
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