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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

The correct order of solubility in an aqueous medium is:

A

CuS>ZnS>Na2S\text{CuS} > \text{ZnS} > \text{Na}_2\text{S}

B

ZnS>Na2S>CuS\text{ZnS} > \text{Na}_2\text{S} > \text{CuS}

C

Na2S>CuS>ZnS\text{Na}_2\text{S} > \text{CuS} > \text{ZnS}

D

Na2S>ZnS>CuS\text{Na}_2\text{S} > \text{ZnS} > \text{CuS}

Step-by-Step Solution

The solubility of these salts in water depends on their ionic/covalent character and their solubility products (KspK_{sp}).

  • Na2S\text{Na}_2\text{S}: As an alkali metal salt, it is highly ionic and highly soluble in water.
  • ZnS\text{ZnS} and CuS\text{CuS}: Both are heavy metal sulphides and are sparingly soluble. However, according to Fajan's rules, Cu2+\text{Cu}^{2+} has a higher polarising power than Zn2+\text{Zn}^{2+}, making CuS\text{CuS} more covalent and less soluble than ZnS\text{ZnS}. This is also consistent with qualitative analysis, where CuS\text{CuS} precipitates in Group II (acidic medium, requiring very low S2S^{2-} concentration due to its extremely low Ksp1036K_{sp} \approx 10^{-36}), whereas ZnS\text{ZnS} precipitates in Group IV (basic medium, requiring higher S2S^{2-} concentration as its Ksp1024K_{sp} \approx 10^{-24}). Therefore, the correct decreasing order of solubility is Na2S>ZnS>CuS\text{Na}_2\text{S} > \text{ZnS} > \text{CuS}.
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