Which of the following compounds is typically soluble in water?

Potassium nitrate is typically soluble in water due to its ionic nature and the presence of the potassium (K⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) ions. When potassium nitrate dissolves in water, it dissociates into its constituent ions, which are stabilized by interactions with water molecules. The strong affinity of water for these ions facilitates their separation and allows them to disperse uniformly throughout the solution.

On the other hand, compounds like silver chloride, lead sulfide, and calcium carbonate have limited solubility in water. Silver chloride and lead sulfide are examples of compounds that form precipitates in the presence of water, primarily because the forces holding them together are stronger than those exerted by water molecules. Similarly, calcium carbonate has very low solubility in water, which is mainly due to the strong ionic bonds between calcium ions and carbonate ions, making it difficult for water to effectively solvate and separate these ions.

Thus, potassium nitrate stands out as the compound among the options provided that readily dissolves in water.