Is Magnesium Carbonate Soluble in Water? (Answered)

Magnesium carbonate is practically considered insoluble.

While it can be slightly soluble in certain circumstances, it is not commonly classified as soluble.

In this article, we will discuss the characteristics of magnesium carbonate and why it is insoluble.

We will also discuss whether solubility is an important factor in identifying this substance.

Is Magnesium Carbonate Soluble in Water? (EXPLAINED)

What Is Magnesium Carbonate?

Magnesium carbonate is one of the top four most prevalent minerals.

Magnesium carbonate is a compound of this abundant mineral and another abundant mineral–carbon.

Magnesium carbonate is composed of the formula MgCO3.

In plain terms, magnesium carbonate possesses one molecule of the chemical element magnesium, which is bound to three molecules of carbonate.

The term “Carbonate” refers to a salt of carbonic acid.

When carbon dioxide (which has a chemical formula of CO2) dissolves in water, it produces carbonic acid.

As magnesium carbonate reacts with acids, the mineral releases carbon dioxide and water.

If magnesium carbonate gets exposed to a heat source, it decomposes into carbon dioxide and magnesium oxide.

The process of magnesium carbonate breaking down in the heat is called calcining.

When it reacts with acids, it releases carbon dioxide and water.

The substance tends to show hygroscopic properties.

This means that it attracts water molecules from the environment that encompasses it and holds those water molecules.

This process is not to be confused with water solubility.

All of this means that magnesium carbonate acts as a magnesium salt.

Additionally, many chemists refer to magnesium carbonate as magnesite.

Magnesium carbonate, a.k.a. Magnesite, gets extracted from magnesium.

The most common application for magnesium carbonate is in dietary supplements for consumers with magnesium deficiencies and related medical concerns.

For example, magnesium carbonate may be prescribed for problems related to sleep, irritability, muscle spasms, anxiety, and more.

Magnesite can also serve as an active ingredient in antacids and laxative products.

Additionally, magnesium carbonate can be used in fertilizers and other garden products, as well as different kinds of toothpaste.

It has many different applications, which is why it is so important to know how to properly identify and use this substance.

Magnesium carbonate frequently gets packaged in a white pill, liquid, and even powder form for consumption.

Magnesium carbonate is usually non-toxic to humans.

However, individuals should consult with a doctor before adding a new vitamin to their regime.

Outside of medical applications, magnesium carbonate is used in some cosmetics.

What does it mean when a substance is soluble in water or not?

When a substance is soluble in water, that means that the chemical, gas, or liquid substance possesses the capacity to dissolve in a solid, liquid, or gaseous form of water.

When scientists determine that a substance is insoluble, they are usually saying that the substance is poor or very poor at dissolving in water.

A standard threshold for classifying a substance as insoluble is less than 0.1 g per 100 mL of solvent.

Why does it matter if something is soluble or not?

Determining whether a substance is soluble or not can help scientists and laypeople identify a substance properly.

A substance’s solubility in water depends on a variety of chemical and physical characteristics of the substance.

Environmental factors such as temperature and pressure can contribute to solubility, as well.

The main circumstances that must exist for a substance to be categorized as soluble include whether the substance dissolves in water.

Some substances can absorb some water, which may make them look as though they are water-soluble.

However, if they do not significantly dissolve, they may present another chemical property.

In general, what circumstances have to exist for something to be soluble or not?

Solubility is a spectrum.

Some substances are mostly soluble but might be less soluble in certain conditions.

For example, some substances may rely on the temperature of the water to dissolve or need an additive to aid in the dissolving process.

Additionally, water solubility is not the same thing as the rate of solution.

The rate of solution refers to how quickly a substance dissolves in water.

Something may be water-soluble in theory, but in practice, it may take so long to dissolve that it is not worth waiting for its absorption into the water for use.

It matters if something is soluble because water solubility helps identify a substance; it also might dictate how that substance is applied for practical use.

Water solubility may determine how a substance should be stored.

If a substance is water-soluble, storing it in a cool, completely dry setting is more important than if the substance is insoluble.

Is magnesium carbonate soluble? Why or why not?

Magnesium carbonate is typically considered insoluble.

This is because magnesium carbonate does not dissolve significantly in water.

Some consider it very slightly soluble, but its solubility is a negligible amount.

The reason why magnesium carbonate is mostly insoluble is that magnesium carbonate’s lattice energy runs high.

When a substance has larger lattice energy, it needs more energy to divide an ionic lattice into nonmetal anions and metal cations.

Magnesium carbonate is not soluble in alcohol, either.

Magnesium carbonate samples–and other carbonate minerals–only dissolve in mineral acids that have effervescent qualities.

Can establishing solubility help identify the substance, use the substance, or do anything else with it?

When it comes to identifying magnesium carbonate, water solubility is just one of many properties that identify it.

Usually, this substance is positively identified through its chemical composition, texture, emissions of MgO and carbon dioxide when heated, and its insolubility in water and alcohol.

Knowing whether magnesium carbonate is soluble can help determine whether a suspected magnesium carbonate sample is correctly identified.

Most importantly, knowing how this compound behaves helps manufacturers and supplement takers alike know how to properly incorporate it into a product or usage.

Wrap Up

In conclusion, magnesium carbonate is not water-soluble.

It is not soluble in alcohol either; it is only soluble in effervescent mineral oils.