Which species are present in an aqueous solution of NaCl?

• A. NaCl molecules
• B. Na^+ and Cl^- ions
• C. Only Cl^- ions
• D. Na^2+ and Cl^2- ions

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that NaCl is an ionic compound composed of sodium ions (Na^+) and chloride ions (Cl^-).
2. When NaCl dissolves in water, it dissociates completely into its constituent ions due to the polar nature of water molecules.
3. Recognize that in an aqueous solution, NaCl does not exist as intact molecules but as separate ions: Na^+ and Cl^-.
4. Recall that Na^2+ and Cl^2- ions are not common or stable species in typical aqueous solutions of NaCl.
5. Therefore, the species present in an aqueous NaCl solution are the sodium ions (Na^+) and chloride ions (Cl^-).