Chapter 6, Problem 37A

Summary Introduction

To draw:

A diagram of table salt dissolved in water.

Introduction:

Water is vital to life on earth. Its properties allow life to exist on earth and help organisms maintain homeostasis. Humans cannot survive without water. Water is known as a universal solvent as many substances can be dissolved in it.

Explanation of Solution

Fig- NaCl in water.

Water is a molecule formed by covalent bonds that link two hydrogen atoms with an oxygen atom. The molecules of water have unequal distribution of electrons. The bent shape makes hydrogen slightly positive and oxygen slightly negative. When ionic compounds are dissolved in water, the ions interact with the polar regions of the water molecules and disrupt their ionic bonds. When NaCl is dissolved in water, the molecules split into Na+ and Cl- ions. The Na+ is surrounded by the partially negative oxygen atoms while Cl- is surrounded by the partially positive hydrogen atoms in the water molecule.

Conclusion

When table salt is dissolved in water, the Na+ and Cl− ions are surrounded by the partially charged oxygen and hydrogen atoms respectively.