Question:easy

Which from following gases is least soluble in water under same conditions of temperature and pressure ?

Show Hint

Polar gases or gases that react with water dissolve well; a non-polar gas like oxygen dissolves very little.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2026
  • \(\text{HCl}\)
  • \(\text{CO}_2\)
  • \(\text{NH}_3\)
  • \(\text{O}_2\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Approach
Rank the gases by how strongly they attract water molecules.

Step 2: Ranking
Strongest attraction: $\text{NH}_3$ (hydrogen bonding plus reaction), then HCl (ionises in water), then $\text{CO}_2$ (partly forms $\text{H}_2\text{CO}_3$). The weakest attraction is for $\text{O}_2$, a symmetric non-polar molecule.

Step 3: Typical numbers
At room temperature and 1 atm, $\text{O}_2$ dissolves at about 40 mg per litre, whereas the other three dissolve in grams per litre or more.

Step 4: Conclusion
Because only weak dispersion forces act between $\text{O}_2$ and water, its solubility is lowest. The other three have a specific interaction with water, so none of them can be the answer.

Final Answer:
Oxygen is the least soluble. This is option (D). \[ \boxed{\text{(D) }\text{O}_2} \]
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