# Rules for solubility

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Author unknown

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(Reprinted from page 10, Chem 13 News, February 1989.

It can be sung to the tune “99 bottles of beer”).

Potassium, sodium and ammonium salts,

Whatever they may be

Can always be depended on

For solubility.

When asked about the nitrates,

The answer’s always clear,

They each and all are soluble,

is all we want to hear.

Most every chloride’s soluble,

At least we’ve always read,

Save silver, mercurous mercury,

And (slightly) chloride of lead.

Every single sulfate,

Is soluble, ‘tis said,

‘Cept barium and calcium

And strontium and lead.

Hydroxides of metals won’t dissolve,

That is, except for some:

Those paired with alkali metals,

And also ammonium.

And then you must remember

That you must not forgit

Calcium and barium

Dissolve a little bit.

Metallic sulfides will not mix

With water it is true

But if you read the verse at top

You’ll find out which ones do.

The carbonates, insoluble,

It’s lucky that it’s so,

Or else our marble buildings

Would melt away like snow.

(Repeat with feeling)

Potassium, sodium and ammonium salts,

Whatever they may be,

Can always be depended on

For solubility.

(Author unknown)

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