Solubility rules

Solubility rules help predict whether a substance will dissolve in water. They are guidelines based on how different compounds interact with water molecules. Some salts, like sodium chloride (table salt), easily dissolve, while others, like silver chloride, tend not to. Factors influencing solubility include the types of ions involved and their charges. Generally, salts composed of alkali metals and nitrates are soluble, whereas those with mostly transition metals or phosphates are less so. These rules are useful in chemistry to understand reactions, separations, and solutions without performing detailed experiments each time.