Relation between interfacial surface tension of electrolyte crystals in aqueous suspension and their solubility; a simple derivation based on surface nucleation

A new derivation, based on a minimum of assumptions, is presented for the well-known relation between surface tension or edge energy, γ/kT, of ionic crystals in aqueous suspensions and their solubility. The relation is shown to be consistent with the normally accepted expressions for surface nucleation. Previous derivations are reviewed and compared to the present derivation.