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NEET CHEMISTRYChemical Bonding and Molecular StructureMedium

Question

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}.

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET CHEMISTRY syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure. Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

CHEMISTRYChemical Bonding and Molecular Structurecorrectsolubilityaqueousmedium

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