Which statement is true about nitrate salts and ammonium salts?

Which statement is true about nitrate salts and ammonium salts?

• A. Nitrate salts are soluble; Ammonium salts are insoluble
• B. Nitrate salts are soluble; Ammonium salts are soluble
• C. Nitrate salts are insoluble; Ammonium salts are soluble
• D. Nitrate salts are soluble only at high temperature; Ammonium salts are soluble

Answer: (B)

Nitrates and ammonium salts both dissolve readily in water. Nitrate salts are soluble with any common metal cation because the NO3− ion tends to stay dissolved and doesn’t form strong, insoluble lattices. Ammonium salts are also soluble because the NH4+ ion is well hydrated and pairs with most anions to form soluble compounds. So, saying that nitrate salts are soluble and ammonium salts are soluble is the true statement. The other options conflict with these well-established solubility patterns—nitrates aren’t generally insoluble, and ammonium salts aren’t typically insoluble, nor does nitrate solubility require high temperature.

Nitrates and ammonium salts both dissolve readily in water. Nitrate salts are soluble with any common metal cation because the NO3− ion tends to stay dissolved and doesn’t form strong, insoluble lattices. Ammonium salts are also soluble because the NH4+ ion is well hydrated and pairs with most anions to form soluble compounds. So, saying that nitrate salts are soluble and ammonium salts are soluble is the true statement. The other options conflict with these well-established solubility patterns—nitrates aren’t generally insoluble, and ammonium salts aren’t typically insoluble, nor does nitrate solubility require high temperature.