Two equal-volume boxes depict aqueous NaCl solutions
CHEMISTRY · Single correct · AP · Chemistry · Properties of Substances and Mixtures · Properties of Substances and Mixtures
Problem
Two equal-volume boxes depict aqueous NaCl solutions. Box X contains 12 Na⁺ ions and 12 Cl⁻ ions, while Box Y contains 9 Na⁺ ions and 9 Cl⁻ ions. Which statement correctly compares the NaCl concentrations in the two boxes?
(a) Box Y is more concentrated because the drawing suggests a higher ratio of ions to water molecules than in Box X.
(b) The relative concentrations cannot be determined unless the exact amount of water in each box is specified.
(c) Box X is more concentrated because it contains a greater number of formula units of NaCl in the same volume of solution.
(d) Both boxes have the same NaCl concentration because each has equal numbers of Na+ and Cl− ions (a 1:1 ionic ratio).