Final answer:
NaCl and NaOH both dissolve in water but have different dissociation processes. NaCl releases Na+ and Cl- ions, while NaOH releases Na+ and OH- ions, affecting the solution's pH. Both contribute to high conductivity due to their ionization in water.
Step-by-step explanation:
When NaCl (sodium chloride) dissolves in water, it dissociates into Na+ (sodium) and Cl- (chloride) ions, where these ions become highly solvated due to the ion-dipole attractions with water molecules. In contrast, NaOH (sodium hydroxide) disassociates into Na+ (sodium) and OH- (hydroxide) ions, releasing OH- ions into the solution. Both substances result in a high conductivity in water since they dissociate into ions that can carry an electrical current, which is important for applications such as transmitting nerve impulses and muscle contractions. The hydration process helps stabilize the ions in solution, preventing them from recombining into solid salts.
While both NaCl and NaOH are soluble in water, the differ in the ions they release upon dissolution. NaCl is a typical example of an ionic compound that dissociates to form electrolytes, whereas NaOH not only forms electrolytes but also alters the solution's pH due to the formation of hydroxide ions.