Solubility

[Kittenz]

Through sections 5.04 and earlier, Chad uses the reaction for Ksp of AgCl(s) <--> Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq) where the solid dissolved in water to give the ions. My questions is, why does the solid dissolve if it has Ag+ in it? I thought salts with Ag+ were insoluble? Maybe my definition of soluble or salt is off. Thanks!

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[Cool Beans]

Nothing is 100% soluble and nothing is 100% insoluble. Typically we refer to things below a certain solubility as being "insoluble" and things above a certain solubility as being "soluble" but these are just generalizations that are never completely true. When you're given the Ksp of a compound it's typically for a compound considered to be rather "insoluble." We can then use the Ksp to determine the tiny amount that does dissolve. So yes, most silver salts (like AgCl) are "insoluble" which really means that only a very tiny amount dissolves.

Hope this helps!