According to general solubility rules, which solvent would better dissolve sodium chloride (NaCl)?

• A. Ethanol (C2H5OH)
• B. Hexane (C6H14)
• C. Water (H2O)
• D. Benzene (C6H6)

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the principle 'like dissolves like,' which means polar solvents tend to dissolve polar solutes, and nonpolar solvents tend to dissolve nonpolar solutes.
2. Identify the nature of sodium chloride (NaCl): it is an ionic compound, which means it is highly polar due to the strong electrostatic attraction between Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions.
3. Examine the polarity of the given solvents: Water (H₂O) is highly polar, Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) is polar but less so than water, Hexane (C₆H₁₄) and Benzene (C₆H₆) are nonpolar solvents.
4. Based on polarity, predict that water, being the most polar solvent listed, will better dissolve NaCl because it can stabilize the ions through ion-dipole interactions.
5. Conclude that water is the best solvent among the options for dissolving sodium chloride, while ethanol may dissolve some NaCl but less effectively, and hexane and benzene will not dissolve NaCl well due to their nonpolar nature.