Final answer:
Fe(NO3)3 will produce the most ions when dissolved in water, dissociating into one Fe3+ ion and three NO3- ions, resulting in a total of four ions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The compound that will produce the most ions when dissolved is Fe(NO3)3 (Iron(III) nitrate). When dissolved in water, Fe(NO3)3 dissociates into one Fe3+ ion and three NO3− ions, therefore producing a total of four ions.
The net ionic equation for the dissolution of Fe(NO3)3 in water is:
Fe(NO3)3 (s) → Fe3+ (aq) + 3 NO3− (aq)
Comparing this to the other compounds given in the options:
- NaCl → Na+ + Cl− (2 ions total)
- Na2O → 2 Na+ + O2− (3 ions total)
- BaCl2 → Ba2+ + 2 Cl− (3 ions total)
Therefore, Fe(NO3)3 produces the most ions upon dissolution.