Solubility and Precipitation

[Yuppie202]

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If anion A is less soluble than anion B. And anion B is less soluble than anion C.

Then why is it that is anion C will precipitate first if a cation is introduced into the solution?

Followed by anion B precipitating second if the same cation is in the solution?

Followed by anion A precipitating last if the same cation is in the solution?

Please help!

 

[StIGMA]

The lower the solubility, the more likely a compound is to precipitate (fall out of solution, eg: be insoluble). So the least soluble compound will precipitate more readily. All of compound C wont precipitate before compound B begins to precipitate, but a greater fraction of compound C will be precipitated at any given time compared to compound B (and same for A).

An uncharged compound is more likely to precipitate because it wont have as many bonds with water (so an anion will be precipitated by a cation).