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Multiple Choice
Which process allows water to dissolve salt effectively?
A
Water molecules surround and separate the salt ions.
B
Water molecules react chemically with salt to form new compounds.
C
Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with salt ions.
D
Water molecules increase the temperature to dissolve salt.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the nature of salt dissolution: Salt, such as sodium chloride (NaCl), dissolves in water through a process called dissociation, where the ionic bonds between the sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ions are broken.
Recognize the role of water molecules: Water is a polar solvent, meaning it has a partial positive charge near the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom. This polarity allows water molecules to interact with the charged ions in salt.
Describe the interaction between water and salt ions: The positive end of the water molecule (near the hydrogen atoms) is attracted to the negatively charged chloride ions (Cl-), while the negative end (near the oxygen atom) is attracted to the positively charged sodium ions (Na+).
Explain the process of hydration: Water molecules surround the individual salt ions, effectively separating them from the solid structure and keeping them in solution. This process is known as hydration.
Clarify why other options are incorrect: Water does not chemically react with salt to form new compounds, nor does it form hydrogen bonds with salt ions. Additionally, increasing temperature is not a direct mechanism by which water dissolves salt, although it can increase the rate of dissolution.