Final answer:
Sodium chloride can be obtained from underground deposits or from the ocean. Salt is present in ocean water as dissolved ions and is harvested through the evaporation of water, forming solid salt crystals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt, can be obtained from underground deposits or from the ocean. Salt is present in ocean water but not in its solid form; the sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-) are dissolved in water. When the water is evaporated or removed, these ions combine to form solid sodium chloride. Besides being mined from salt mines and underground deposits, salt can also be harvested from salt pans where ocean water is allowed to evaporate, leaving behind salt crystals.
Large underground deposits of sodium chloride are found throughout the world, and they significantly contribute to the production of salt for various uses. Moreover, the ocean serves as a vast resource for sodium chloride and many other halides, providing essential materials for different chemical processes and industries.