Question

What happens when table salt (NaCl) is added to water?

Answer 1

Hydration of the individual ions and formation of discrete aqua complexes, `Na^+(aq)` and `Cl^-(aq)`.

Explanation:

By most definitions, this is properly considered an example of chemical change, i.e. the formation of new substances, and the making and breaking of strong chemical bonds. We write `Na^+(aq)`; in solution we have the hexaqua complexes, `[Na(OH_2)_6]^+` and `[Cl(H_2O)_(4-6)]^-`.