Which sulfates are considered soluble according to solubility rules?

The assertion that certain sulfates are considered soluble corresponds with established solubility rules in chemistry. Most sulfates are indeed soluble in water, which is a foundational concept in understanding their behavior in various chemical reactions and applications.

The correct answer highlights that all sulfates are generally soluble except for those containing specific cations such as calcium (Ca2+), strontium (Sr2+), barium (Ba2+), lead (Pb2+), silver (Ag+), and mercury (Hg2^2+). This means that while sulfates are predominantly soluble, these exceptions exist due to their unique interactions with water, which lead to the formation of insoluble compounds.

The reasoning behind this solubility behavior relates to the ability of the sulfate ion (SO4^2-) to interact favorably with water relative to the cations listed, effectively forming soluble salts for the majority but resulting in precipitates for the exceptions. This nuanced understanding is crucial for predicting the outcomes of reactions involving sulfates in aqueous solutions.

Other options suggest either an inaccurate blanket rule about all sulfates being soluble, limiting solubility to those with only alkali metals without acknowledging the exceptions, or incorrectly classifying sulfates of transition metals without regard to their sol