Final answer:
When sodium chloride is placed in water, it dissociates into sodium cations and chloride anions. The water molecules are oriented so that their negative and positive ends interact with the corresponding charged ions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When sodium chloride (NaCl) is placed in water, it dissociates into ions. The correct names for these ions are sodium cations (Na+) and chloride anions (Cl-). Sodium cations have a positive charge, while chloride anions have a negative charge. For example, when NaCl crystals are added to water, the NaCl molecules dissociate into Na+ and Cl- ions. These ions are then surrounded by water molecules, forming hydration spheres.
The process of dissociation occurs when atoms or groups of atoms break off from molecules and form ions. In the case of sodium chloride in water, the sodium and chloride ions separate due to the polar regions of water molecules disrupting the ionic bonds. Sodium chloride is an ionic compound that dissolves in water through a process called dissociation, where the ionic bonds are disrupted, and the ions are completely surrounded by water molecules. The water molecules are oriented so that their negative and positive ends interact with the corresponding charged ions, helping to stabilize them in solution.