Double salts are a type of complex compounds that are formed when two different salts combine together chemically in a definite ratio and crystallize together. For example, Potash alum is a double salt that is formed by the combination of potassium sulfate and aluminum sulfate.


When double salts are dissolved in water, they dissociate into their constituent ions, just like any other ionic compound. For example, when Potash alum is dissolved in water, it dissociates into potassium ions (K+), aluminum ions (Al3+), sulfate ions (SO42-), and water molecules (H2O).


The dissociation of double salts in water leads to the formation of new ionic compounds, which are different from the original double salt. For example, when Potash alum is dissolved in water, it forms potassium sulfate (K2SO4), aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3), and water molecules (H2O), which are all different from Potash alum.


Due to the dissociation of double salts in water and the formation of new ionic compounds, the identity of double salts is lost in solutions. The original double salt cannot be identified by its properties or composition in the solution. The solution contains a mixture of different ions and compounds, which are formed by the dissociation of the double salt.


In conclusion, double salts do not retain their identity in solutions because they dissociate into their constituent ions and form new ionic compounds, which are different from the original double salt. The loss of identity of double salts in solutions is a common characteristic of all complex compounds when they are dissolved in water.