Memorize the Solubility Rules for Common Ionic Compounds in Water

Initially, a feat like memorizing solubility rules for chemistry might seem very difficult, but it can be done. Read on to find out how.

Steps

 * 1)  First, memorize that all common Group 1A metal ionic compounds (that which contain Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs) are soluble.
 * 2)  Then memorize that all common NH4 (ammonium) ionic compounds are also soluble in water. Compounds with an H+ cation (like HCl, hydrochloric acid) also tend to be soluble, as these are generally acids.
 * 3)  Then you want to memorize all the different compounds that are generally soluble in water. Use the website in "Things you Need" to do this
 * 4)  Then you want to memorize all the different compounds that are not generally soluble in water by using the same website.
 * 5)  Then memorize the exceptions given in the tips section.

Tips

 * If you want to accurately memorize the solubility rules for ionic compounds in water, you must know the exceptions to the above rules, those compounds that appear to be soluble but don't follow the solubility rules and are insoluble. They are: AgCl, Hg2Cl, MgF2, CaF2, SrF2, BaF2, PbF2, AgBr, Hg2Br, PbBr2, BaSO4, PbSO4, and HgSO4.
 * Note that PbCl2 is soluble in HOT water.
 * Knowing the relationship between solubility, polarity, and conductivity might help you understand the solubility rules.

Warnings

 * Don't depend just on the information given here. This is simply a stepping stone for you. Use your chemistry book to give you a better insight into solubility.
 * Also, memorizing rules is pointless if you do not understand the concept.

Things You'll Need

 * Dedication for memorization
 * http://intro.chem.okstate.edu/1314f00/Lecture/Chapter4/SolTab.gif

Sources and Citations

 * Davis, Raymond E., Larry Peck, George G. Stanley, and Kenneth W. Whitten. Chemistry. 9 ed. New York: Brooks Cole, 2009. Print.