Which statement correctly describes a solution of sodium chloride in water?

• A. Sodium chloride remains as solid crystals suspended in water, forming a heterogeneous mixture.
• B. Sodium chloride reacts with water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.
• C. Sodium chloride dissociates into Na^+ and Cl^- ions, forming a homogeneous mixture.
• D. Sodium chloride forms a colloidal suspension in water.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the nature of sodium chloride (NaCl) as an ionic compound composed of Na^+ and Cl^- ions held together by ionic bonds in a crystal lattice.
2. Recall that when NaCl is added to water, it dissolves because water molecules are polar and can stabilize the individual Na^+ and Cl^- ions through ion-dipole interactions.
3. Recognize that this dissolution process involves the dissociation of solid NaCl into its constituent ions: \(\mathrm{NaCl_{(s)} \rightarrow Na^{+}_{(aq)} + Cl^{-}_{(aq)}}\).
4. Note that the resulting mixture is homogeneous because the ions are evenly distributed throughout the water, forming a true solution rather than a suspension or colloid.
5. Conclude that NaCl does not chemically react with water to form new substances like sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid; it simply dissociates into ions.