[Campbell Biology P.98] According to Figure 3.8 and the surrounding text, how do water mole... | Practice Question

According to Figure 3.8 and the surrounding text, how do water molecules orient themselves around sodium cations Na+ and chloride anions Cl- during the dissolution of table salt?

  • A: The positively charged hydrogen regions of water molecules are attracted to Na+, and the negatively charged oxygen regions are attracted to Cl-.
  • B: The negatively charged oxygen regions of water molecules are attracted to Na+, and the positively charged hydrogen regions are attracted to Cl-.
  • C: Water molecules surround both Na+ and Cl- ions randomly, without any specific orientation.
  • D: Water molecules form covalent bonds with both Na+ and Cl- ions, dissolving them.

Explanation

Figure 3.8 and the text clearly state that the negatively charged oxygen regions of water molecules are attracted to positively charged sodium cations Na+ , and the positively charged hydrogen regions are attracted to negatively charged chloride anions Cl- . This specific orientation leads to the formation of hydration shells.