Here's why:

* Solute: The substance that dissolves in a solvent. In salt water, sodium chloride is the substance that dissolves.

* Solvent: The substance that dissolves the solute. In salt water, water (H₂O) is the solvent.

So, the correct way to describe the components of salt water is:

* Sodium chloride (NaCl) is the solute.

* Water (H₂O) is the solvent.