At 20 degrees Celsius, potassium nitrate (KNO3) is one of the most soluble salts. Its solubility in water at this temperature is approximately 32 grams per 100 milliliters of water.
This high level of solubility can be attributed to the ionic nature of potassium nitrate, which easily dissociates into its constituent ions in solution. The positive potassium ions (K+) and negative nitrate ions (NO3–) interact well with water molecules, facilitating their separation and allowing a greater amount to dissolve.
In comparison to other salts, such as sodium chloride (table salt) or calcium carbonate, potassium nitrate shows a significantly higher solubility at room temperature, making it particularly useful in various applications, including fertilizers, food preservation, and even in some fireworks formulations.