Difficulty: Hard

Average Score: 33%

Students investigated the effect of wingspan length on the flight of several toy gliders that had different wingspans. For each trial, they measure and the amount of time in the air using a stopwatch.

Which of the following is true of sodium chloride?

Rationale

It is composed of two different elements.

Sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt, is a compound formed from the combination of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) elements. This ionic compound results from the transfer of electrons from sodium to chlorine, creating a stable structure through ionic bonding.

A (It is a gas at room temperature.) YOUR ANSWER

Sodium chloride is not a gas at room temperature; rather, it is a solid crystalline substance. While some ionic compounds can exist in gaseous forms under specific conditions, sodium chloride typically remains solid at standard temperature and pressure, demonstrating a high melting point due to strong ionic bonds.

B (It is composed of two different elements.) CORRECT

Sodium chloride is indeed composed of two distinct elements: sodium and chlorine. This characteristic classifies it as a compound, specifically an ionic compound formed through the reaction of these two elements. This fundamental property is essential for understanding its chemical behavior and applications.

C (It is composed of two different compounds.) YOUR ANSWER

Sodium chloride is not made up of different compounds; it is a single compound consisting of sodium and chlorine. The confusion may arise from the presence of separate elements, but these elements combine in a fixed ratio to form one unique compound rather than multiple compounds.

D (It is chemically unstable.) YOUR ANSWER

Sodium chloride is chemically stable under normal conditions, as it forms a strong ionic bond that does not readily break apart. While it can undergo dissociation in water, it remains stable as a solid and does not decompose easily, making it a reliable compound for various uses.

Conclusion

Sodium chloride is a compound made up of two different elements, sodium and chlorine, which combines in a fixed ratio to form a stable ionic structure. The incorrect options either misrepresent the physical state, the composition, or the stability of sodium chloride, highlighting the importance of understanding chemical compounds in relation to their elemental constituents.

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