Question

Write a chemical equation that represents NaBr(s) dissociating in water.

Short answer

NaBr(s) dissociates into Na⁺(aq) and Br⁻(aq) in water.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Dissociation Process

When sodium bromide (NaBr) is added to water, it dissociates into its constituent ions. This means NaBr splits into sodium ions (Na⁺) and bromide ions (Br⁻) when the solid dissolves in water.

Write the Chemical Equation for Dissociation

The chemical equation for the dissociation of sodium bromide in water is:\[\text{NaBr}(s) \rightarrow \text{Na}^+(aq) + \text{Br}^-(aq)\]This shows that solid sodium bromide dissociates into sodium and bromide ions in the aqueous phase.

Key concepts

Dissociation Process

The dissociation process is a chemical reaction in which an ionic compound separates into its individual ions when dissolved in water. When a compound like sodium bromide (NaBr) is placed into water, it undergoes dissociation. This means that the compound breaks apart into its respective ions, in this case sodium ions (Na⁺) and bromide ions (Br⁻), thanks to the interaction with water molecules.
The water molecules play a crucial role because they are polar, having a slight positive and negative charge. These charges help pull the ions away from each other and stabilize them in solution. This phenomenon allows ionic compounds to dissolve, enabling the ions to become evenly distributed throughout the solution.
In summary, dissociation is essential for ionic compounds to dissolve in water, enabling the ions to interact and play a part in various chemical reactions and processes.

Sodium Bromide

Sodium bromide (NaBr) is a white, crystalline salt that is highly soluble in water. As an ionic compound, it is composed of sodium (Na⁺) and bromide (Br⁻) ions.
Here are some key points to understand about sodium bromide:

• It is commonly used in various applications such as medicine, photography, and chemical synthesis.
• In medical settings, it has been used as a sedative and anticonvulsant.
• By dissolving in water, sodium bromide can conduct electricity because the free-moving ions enable the flow of electric current.
• In chemicals and manufacturing, its role is crucial due to its high reactivity and versatility.

Understanding sodium bromide's properties and uses helps highlight the significance of its dissociation into ions, which enables its wide range of applications.

Ions in Aqueous Solution

When ionic compounds dissolve in water, they form ions in an aqueous solution. An aqueous solution is simply a solution where water is the solvent, and the substance, in this case, sodium bromide, is the solute. Understanding ions in an aqueous solution involves several aspects:
Firstly, the ions are free-moving. This mobility allows them to interact with other molecules and ions in the solution. It is this property that makes electrolytes (like NaBr) important for various processes such as conducting electricity.
Secondly, these ions, sodium ions (Na⁺) and bromide ions (Br⁻), are surrounded by water molecules. This creates a "hydration shell" around each ion, which stabilizes them and keeps them dissolved in solution.
Lastly, the presence of these ions can affect the properties of the solution, such as its boiling point, freezing point, and electrical conductivity. The study of ions in aqueous solutions is fundamental in understanding chemical reactions and the behavior of substances in water.