(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)
