Question

Explain, why table salt becomes sticky on exposure to humid air during the rainy season.

Answer 1

Table salt(Sodium Chloride, $\mathrm{NaCl}$) becomes sticky on exposure to humid air during the rainy season:

• A small amount of Magnesium Chloride(${\mathrm{MgCl}}_2$) is present in sodium chloride as an impurity.
• Magnesium Chloride is deliquescent in nature.
• Deliquescent material: It is defined as the type of material which absorbs moisture from the environment until it dissolves in absorbed water and results in the formation of a solution.
• Therefore table salt will get wet and sticky because of the presence of Magnesium chloride as an impurity.