Question

When sodium chloride ($\text{NaCl}$) is dissolved in water, then ${\text{Na}}^{+}$ and ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ ions are attracted to the atoms of water molecule. Identify the corresponding atoms to which they attract to from the given options.

• A. ${\text{Na}}^{+}$: Hydrogen
  ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$: Hydrogen
• B. ${\text{Na}}^{+}$: Hydrogen
  ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$: Oxygen
• C. ${\text{Na}}^{+}$: Oxygen
  ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$: Hydrogen
• D. ${\text{Na}}^{+}$: Dihydrogen oxide
  ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$: Hydrogen

Answer 1

The correct option is C ${\text{Na}}^{+}$: Oxygen

${\text{Cl}}^{-}$: Hydrogen
The oxygen atom is more electronegative than hydrogen atoms present in the water molecule. Hence, it shifts the shared pair of electron towards itself and attains a partial negative charge.

So, they will attract ${\text{Na}}^{+}$ ions in the solution. Also, the hydrogen atoms with partial positive charge will attract ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ ions.