Question

When NaCl is dissolved in water, the sodium ion becomes?

Answer 1

Hint: Consider the polar nature of water and then proceed.

 

Complete step-by-step answer:

Inside water, when sodium chloride (NaCl) is dissolved, the sodium ion becomes hydrated.

It dissociates into $Na^{+}$ and $Cl^{-}$ ions because of the polar nature of water $(H_2O)$.

$NaCl(s) + H_2O \rightarrow Na^{+}(aq) + Cl^{-}(aq)$

The $Na^{+}$ ions are attracted towards the partially negative oxygen in the water molecule whereas the $Cl^{-}$ ions are attracted towards the partially positive hydrogen.

 

Note: Such problems can be solved by understanding the nature and behavior of the solute and the solvents.