Which of the following compounds are readily soluble in water?

a.  BeSO4

b.  MgSO4

c.  BaSO4

d.  SrSO4

Choose the correct option
1. (a, b)
2. (b, c)
3. (c, d)
4. (a, d)

Solubility of sulphates of alkaline earth metals in water decreases from Be to Ba·BeSO4 are fairly soluble while BaSO4 is almost completely insoluble.
The decreasing solubility of BeSO4 to BaSO4 can be explained on the basis of decreasing hydration energy from Be2+ to Ba2+ (as size increases). For BeSO4 and MgSO4, hydration energy is more than lattice energy and so they are readily soluble.