* Polarity: Water molecules (H₂O) are polar. This means they have a slightly positive end (hydrogen atoms) and a slightly negative end (oxygen atom).
* Ionic nature of NaCl: Sodium chloride is an ionic compound. It exists as a crystal lattice where sodium ions (Na⁺) are positively charged and chloride ions (Cl⁻) are negatively charged.
* Attraction: The positive end of water molecules (hydrogen) is attracted to the negative chloride ions, while the negative end of water molecules (oxygen) is attracted to the positive sodium ions. This attraction is known as electrostatic attraction.
How it works:
When sodium chloride is dissolved in water, the water molecules surround the ions, effectively pulling them apart. This is because the attraction between the water molecules and the ions is stronger than the attraction between the ions themselves.
This process is called hydration, and it's what makes sodium chloride (table salt) soluble in water.
In summary, water molecules are attracted to sodium chloride because of the electrostatic attraction between the polar water molecules and the charged ions of sodium chloride.
