A student examines an isolated water molecule and notes the partial charges shown. The student then places a small amount of table salt (NaCl) in pure water and observes that the salt dissolves rapidly. The teacher asks why polarity matters here.
Which statement BEST explains how the geometry shown enables NaCl to dissolve?
- Acheck_circle
Partial negative oxygen surrounds Na+, partial positive H surrounds Cl-, stabilizing dissociated ions
- B
Water's nonpolar regions repel ions, breaking the lattice
- C
Linear geometry maximizes London dispersion forces with ions
- D
Water donates electrons covalently to Na+ and Cl-
Explanation
The bent shape creates a permanent dipole; oxygen's delta- attracts cations and the hydrogens' delta+ attract anions, forming hydration shells that dissolve ionic compounds.