Please be detailed but simple. i have to write a random paper about this yet we were never taught this. It's due tomorrow and before you say I procrastinated, this was just assigned Friday and the teacher didn't give us any other information except the prompt. I has to be 2 pages and I can't find any information about this online.
Answers (1)
That is a non-question. Every element is special.
An element in solution consists of ions constantly knocking against each other. If two ions combine to form something that is soluble, they promptly break apart and go knock against something else. If the combination is not soluble, it precipitates.
Lead is special because most compounds are poisonous.
Mercury dissolves just fine. Gold miners have a problem with mercury in natural streams. It's hard to get it out of the water, and it interferes with panning the gold.
Mercury and gold dissolve together, forming an amalgam which is used to separate gold from gravel. Mercurochrome and calomel are compounds of mercury dissolved in alcohol. Pure mercury dissolves aluminum, and that is why you are not allowed to carry a mercury thermometer on an airline. Lead and silver dissolve in each other and the easiest way to separate them is to control the temperature so that silver solidifies (freezes) but lead remains melted.
This question addresses some wacky states of matter that are subjects of special study.
i meant why do silver, mercury, and lead not dissolve in a solvent other than themselves? like apparently they dont dissolve in water
Ok, now you have asked a question that actually has an answer. "Dissolve" means to break into ions. Silver ions and nitrate ions float about freely in water. If the silver ion meets a chloride ion it makes silver chloride, and that is not soluble so it precipitates.
The same process applies to other elements, but each element has its unique properties. For example sodium chloride is soluble but silver chloride is not. There is a list of compounds that are usually soluble, but I studied that so long ago I don't remember the list.
They actually had a question all along. You just don't know how to answer things properly
ok im super confused. what does mercury dissolve in?? my teacher kinda sucks and he never specified if we write about why those elements are insoluble in water or alcohol or whatever other solvents.