Multiple Choice
Which of the following ionic compounds will dissolve most rapidly in water at room temperature?
3
views
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions
Solubility Rules
Struggling with General Chemistry?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolves in water because water molecules _____.
A
decompose NaCl into sodium metal and chlorine gas
B
form covalent bonds with Na+ and Cl- ions
C
surround and stabilize the Na+ and Cl- ions through ion-dipole interactions
D
precipitate NaCl out of solution
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that sodium chloride (NaCl) is an ionic compound composed of Na+ (sodium) and Cl- (chloride) ions held together by ionic bonds.
Recognize that when NaCl dissolves in water, the water molecules interact with the individual ions rather than breaking NaCl into elements or forming covalent bonds.
Recall that water is a polar molecule with a partial positive charge near the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom, enabling it to interact with charged species.
Identify that water molecules surround the Na+ and Cl- ions, stabilizing them in solution through ion-dipole interactions, which are attractions between the charged ions and the dipole of water molecules.
Conclude that this stabilization prevents the ions from recombining into solid NaCl, allowing the salt to dissolve and remain dispersed in the aqueous solution.
2:07mWatch next
Master Solubility and Insolubility with a bite sized video explanation from Jules
Start learningRelated Videos
Related Practice
Solubility Rules practice set
Problem sets built by lead tutorsExpert video explanations