Question

Is table salt deliquescent in nature

Answer 1

Yes, Table salt is deliquescent

• Table salt contains impurities such as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride which are deliquescent.
• Common salt is hygroscopic

Deliquescence

• Some of the water-soluble substances, when left exposed to the atmosphere at ordinary temperature absorb moisture, lose their crystalline form, and get converted into their saturated solution. such a substance is called deliquescent substance and the phenomenon is said to be deliquescency
• Some examples of deliquescent substances are caustic soda(NaOH), calcium chloride(CaCl₂), magnesium chloride(MgCl₂), caustic potash(KOH).

Hygroscopy

• The phenomenon where certain substances absorb moisture(water vapor) from the atmosphere when they are exposed to air is called hygroscopy and substances are called hygroscopic substances.
• Some examples of hygroscopic substances are quick lime(CaO), phosphorous pentaoxide(P₂O₅).