I have no idea how to approach this problem. Given sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, sodium silicate and magnesium hydroxide, which has low solubility? Please help, I'm reviewing for a test.

Answer 1

I have no idea what you mean. Magnesium hydroxide is not soluble in water, but in acids, it reacts.

Answer 2

You should know or learn the solubility rules. Here is a very simplified version.
http://www.files.chem.vt.edu/RVGS/ACT/notes/solubility_rules.html

Answer 3

Thanks. Magnesium hydroxide was given as the correct answer but I don't know how you can tell (the only extra in the question was that the magnesium hydroxide was the main component of milk of magnesia). Is it because hydroxide is insoluble?

Answer 4

Did you go to the site I gave you for the solubilities? Probably not.
To answer you repost questin, no, not because hydroxide is insoluble. NaOH is soluble, KOH is soluble, CsOH is soluble, lots of hydroxides are soluble. However, magnesium hydroxide is insoluble (you know this by the solubility rules). The hint with the milk of magnesia: MOM consists of magnesium hydroxide. When you shake it up do you see a white suspension (yes) or a clear, colorless solutin (no).

Answer 5

Thanks for your help.