* Sodium ions (Na+)
* Chloride ions (Cl-)
Here's why:
* Ionic Compound: Sodium chloride is an ionic compound, meaning it's formed by the electrostatic attraction between positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged chloride ions (Cl-).
* Dissolution: When NaCl dissolves in water, the water molecules surround the ions, breaking the ionic bonds and separating them. The polar water molecules have a partial positive charge on the hydrogen side and a partial negative charge on the oxygen side. This allows them to interact with the ions, pulling them apart and keeping them in solution.
