would you expect lead chloride to dissolve in dilute HNO3? Explain
To determine if lead chloride (PbCl2) would dissolve in dilute HNO3 (nitric acid), we need to understand the solubility rules and the reaction that occurs when lead chloride is exposed to nitric acid.
Solubility rules:
1. All nitrates (NO3-) are soluble.
2. Most chlorides (Cl-) are soluble, except for lead chloride (PbCl2), silver chloride (AgCl), and mercury(I) chloride (Hg2Cl2).
3. Lead chloride (PbCl2) is insoluble in water.
Reaction between lead chloride and nitric acid:
PbCl2 (s) + 2HNO3 (aq) → Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + 2HCl (aq)
Explanation:
According to the solubility rules, lead chloride (PbCl2) is insoluble in water, which means it does not readily dissolve in pure water. However, when exposed to dilute HNO3 (nitric acid), a reaction takes place between the lead chloride and the nitric acid.
Nitric acid (HNO3) is a strong acid that can react with insoluble substances to form soluble compounds. In this case, the lead chloride reacts with nitric acid to form lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). Both lead nitrate and hydrochloric acid are soluble in water.
Therefore, when lead chloride is placed in dilute HNO3, it will dissolve and form lead nitrate and hydrochloric acid. This is due to the strong acid-base reaction between the insoluble lead chloride and the nitric acid, resulting in the formation of soluble compounds.