Question:

Correct order for solubility of alkaline earth metal fluorides in water is:

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Alkaline earth fluorides: Solubility decreases down the group (MgF\(_2\) > BaF\(_2\)).
Updated On: Apr 16, 2026
  • \(MgF_2>CaF_2>SrF_2>BaF_2\)
  • \(MgF_2<CaF_2<SrF_2<BaF_2\)
  • \(MgF_2 BaF_2\)
  • \(BaF_2>MgF_2>SrF_2>CaF_2\)
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Solubility of ionic compounds depends on the balance between lattice energy and hydration energy. For alkaline earth metal fluorides, lattice energy dominates the trend.

Step 1:
Identify the trend. Down the group (Mg → Ba):
• Cation size increases
• Lattice energy decreases (but slowly)
• Hydration energy decreases significantly (due to larger cation size)

Step 2:
Compare lattice energy vs hydration energy. For fluorides, the decrease in hydration energy down the group is more rapid than the decrease in lattice energy. As a result, solubility decreases down the group: \[ MgF_2>CaF_2>SrF_2>BaF_2 \] MgF\(_2\) is relatively more soluble, while BaF\(_2\) is the least soluble.

Step 3:
Conclusion. Option (A) gives the correct decreasing order.
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