Question

When sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolves in water, the solution contains:

A) Sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻)
B) Sodium molecules (Na₂) and chlorine molecules (Cl₂)
C) Sodium atoms (Na) and chlorine atoms (Cl)
D) Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and chlorine gas (Cl₂)

Answer 1

When sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolves in water, the solution contains sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻).

Step-by-step explanation:

When sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolves in water, the solution contains sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻).

When NaCl dissolves in water, the ions separate and go their own way in solution. This process is called dissociation. The positive sodium ions (Na⁺) are attracted to the negative pole of the water molecule, while the negative chloride ions (Cl¯) are attracted to the positive pole of the water molecule. The polar water molecules surround the ions and pull them away into the solution.

Example: NaCl(s) → Na⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq)