Which of the following correctly identifies the symbol and name of the cation present in table salt?

• A. Ca^{2+}, calcium ion
• B. K^+, potassium ion
• C. Mg^{2+}, magnesium ion
• D. Na^+, sodium ion

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that table salt is chemically known as sodium chloride, which consists of sodium and chloride ions.
2. Identify the cation in table salt by recalling that sodium chloride dissociates into sodium ions and chloride ions in solution.
3. Recall the symbol for the sodium ion, which is \(Na^{+}\), indicating a sodium atom that has lost one electron to become a positively charged ion.
4. Recognize that the cation is the positively charged ion, so among the options, \(Na^{+}\) corresponds to the sodium ion, the cation in table salt.
5. Confirm that the other options (\(Ca^{2+}\), \(K^{+}\), \(Mg^{2+}\)) represent cations of different elements not present in table salt.