Question

Which of the following statements is true about table salt when dissolved in water?

A) The dissolution of table salt is a chemical change
B) Table salt dissociates into ions when dissolved
C) The mass of salt increases upon dissolution
D) Table salt becomes a gas when dissolved

Answer 1

Table salt dissociates into ions when dissolved in water.

Step-by-step explanation:

B) Table salt dissociates into ions when dissolved

When table salt (NaCl) is dissolved in water, the molecules dissociate into Na+ and Cl- ions. This means that the salt breaks apart into individual ions that are surrounded by water molecules, a physical change known as dissociation. The positively charged sodium ions are attracted to the partially negative oxygen atoms of water, while the negatively charged chloride ions are attracted to the partially positive hydrogen atoms of water.