Question

how do water molecules effectively dissolve an ionic salt like sodium chloride (nacl)? a. the water molecules transfer their own electrons to the ions, neutralizing them. b. the covalent bonds in water break apart to form ions that bond with the salt. c. waters partial positive hydrogen ends attract the positive sodium ions (na+), and its partial negative oxygen end attracts the negative chloride ions (cl-). d. waters partial positive hydrogen ends attract the negative chloride ions (cl-) and its partial negative oxygen end attracts the positive sodium ions (na+).

Explanation:

Water is a polar molecule. The oxygen - end has a partial negative charge and the hydrogen - ends have partial positive charges. In an ionic salt like NaCl, Na⁺ is a positive ion and Cl⁻ is a negative ion. Opposite charges attract. So, the partial positive hydrogen ends of water attract the negative chloride ions (Cl⁻) and the partial negative oxygen end of water attracts the positive sodium ions (Na⁺), which helps in dissolving the salt.

Answer:

D. Water's partial positive hydrogen ends attract the negative chloride ions (Cl−) and its partial negative oxygen end attracts the positive sodium ions (Na+).