Chemistry Help - Most Soluble in Water?

Question

Which of the following gases are the least soluble in water?

a) oxygen

b) nitric oxide

c) hydrogen

d) ammonia

e) none of these

Could somebody tell me what the answer is and how they know? If any math is involved, please explain to me the process? I know it's asking for a lot but this is my third time taking Chemistry and I need all the help I can get. Any helpful links are welcome.

Answer 1

Those gases most soluble in water are those which are the most polar. Oxygen and hydrogen are nonpolar, being homonuclear diatomic molecules. Nitric oxide (NO) is weakly polar due to the electronegativity difference between N and O. Ammonia is strongly polar due to the high electronegativity difference between N and H. Ammonia is the most soluble in water, followed by NO, and then oxygen and hydrogen (I am uncertain of the ordering of the last two.)