Which statement best describes a solution in a beaker containing dissolved NaCl in water?

• A. It is a homogeneous mixture of NaCl and water.
• B. It is a suspension of NaCl particles in water.
• C. It is a heterogeneous mixture of NaCl and water.
• D. It is a pure substance consisting only of NaCl.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of a solution: A solution is a homogeneous mixture where the solute (NaCl) is completely dissolved in the solvent (water), resulting in a uniform composition throughout.
2. Recall that a suspension is a heterogeneous mixture where particles are large enough to eventually settle out, which is not the case for dissolved NaCl in water.
3. Recognize that a heterogeneous mixture has visibly distinct parts or phases, which does not apply here because dissolved NaCl forms a uniform phase with water.
4. Note that a pure substance consists of only one type of particle or compound, so a mixture of NaCl and water cannot be a pure substance.
5. Conclude that the best description is that the beaker contains a homogeneous mixture of NaCl and water, which is the definition of a solution.