What happens to sodium chloride when it dissolves in water? a. electrons are transferred from sodium atoms to chlorine atoms, forming positive and negative ions. b. each sodium ion pairs with a chloride ion, and the pair of ions is surrounded by water molecules. c. the water molecules attract both the sodium ions and the chloride ions, pulling them together. d. the sodium ions are separated from the chloride ions, and both dissolve separately into the water.

The correct answer is option C, that is, the water molecules attract both the sodium ions and the chloride ions, pulling them together.

Sodium chloride is an ionic compound comprising oppositely charged atoms, known as ions, organized in a lattice composition. When sodium chloride is immersed in water, the ions get attracted to the molecules of water, each carrying a positive charge.  

If the attraction between the water molecules and ions is sufficient to dissociate the bonds between the ions together, the compound gets dissolve. When this takes place, the ions break and disperse in solution, each surrounded by molecules of water to inhibit further recombining.  

Option (C) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Water has molecular formula . Due to the difference in electronegativity of both oxygen and hydrogen atom a partial positive charge develops at hydrogen atom and a partial negative charge develops at oxygen atom.

So, when sodium chloride is dissolved in water then it dissociates into sodium and chlorine ions. Therefore, these ions then get attracted towards the water molecules.

Thus, we can conclude that sodium chloride when dissolves in water then water molecules attract both the sodium ions and the chloride ions, pulling them together.