What is the correct way to show sodium chloride in aqueous solution?

1 Answer
Jul 19, 2016

An old chestnut. Sodium chloride in aqueous solution is represented as #NaCl(aq)# OR AS #Na^(+)(aq) + Cl^(-)(aq)#.

Explanation:

The dissolution, the ionization of sodium chloride in water is clearly an example of chemical change, and has been the subject of much prior debate.

When sodium chloride dissolves in water we form #Na^+(aq)#, i.e. #[Na(OH_2)_6]^+#, an aquated sodium ion, a distinct chemical entity to #NaCl#. The chloride counter ion is similarly formulated.