Calcium carbonate is an ionic compound. Propose an explanation for the solubility of calcium carbonate.
1 answer
Drop a crystal of CaCO3 into water. The Ca^+2 on the surface of the crystal attract the negative end of the polar water molecules. The CO3^= ions on the surface attract the positive end of the polar water molecules. The calcium ions become solvated, the carbonate ions become solvated, the energy of solvation is enough to break the crystal lattice bonds and the crystal dissolves. That is basically what happens. You may need to dress it us a little here and there if this is a homework problem. I hope this helps.