Question

A student collects sand and sodium chloride from a mixture by adding water, filtering and then evaporating the water. Is the NaCl left in the evaporating dish hydrated or anhydrous?

Answer 1

When sodium chloride (NaCl) is dissolved in water, it undergoes hydration, meaning it is surrounded by water molecules. Therefore, the NaCl left in the evaporating dish after the water is evaporated would be hydrated.

Step-by-step explanation:

When sodium chloride (NaCl) is dissolved in water, it undergoes a process called solvation, where the individual Na+ and Cl- ions are surrounded by water molecules in a specific arrangement. This process is known as hydration. Therefore, the NaCl left in the evaporating dish after the water is evaporated would be hydrated, meaning it would still be surrounded by water molecules.