Final answer:
NaCl dissolves in water because it is ionic/charged and polar, forming strong ion-dipole interactions that do not occur in nonpolar solvents like hexane, making it highly soluble in water and conductive.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics that describe the solutes in the NaCl solutions in this activity are best described as ionic/charged and polar. Sodium chloride (NaCl) dissociates completely in water due to the attractions between the positive and negative regions on the water molecule and the sodium and chloride ions. This property allows NaCl solutions to conduct electrical current, making NaCl an electrolyte. The solubility of NaCl in water is a result of strong ion-dipole interactions, which do not occur in nonpolar solvents like hexane.