Final answer:
When sodium chloride (NaCl) is dissolved in water, the water level increases due to the formation of spheres of hydration around the ions. The more NaCl is added, the greater the increase in water level. However, at a certain point, the solution becomes saturated and no more NaCl can dissolve.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dissolving sodium chloride (NaCl) in water causes the water level to increase, especially when more NaCl is added. This is because NaCl dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-) when it is dissolved in water. The water molecules form spheres of hydration around these ions, which take up space and cause the water level to rise.
For example, if you start with a beaker of water and add NaCl to it, the water level will gradually increase as more NaCl is dissolved. The more NaCl you add, the more sodium and chloride ions are formed, and the more spheres of hydration are created, resulting in a greater increase in water level.
It is important to note that if you continue adding NaCl beyond a certain point, the water level will eventually stop increasing. This is because the solution becomes saturated, meaning that no more NaCl can dissolve in the water. At this point, any excess NaCl added will not dissolve and will instead settle at the bottom of the beaker.