Questions on salt water vs fresh water

[jim]

Questions on salt water vs fresh water...

I live in an area that is experiencing a long drought. So, I got to
thinking about the differences in fresh and salt water and have a few
questions that I'd like your thoughts on.

Just what happens to salt in salt water?

Do the molecules of water and salt combine or is the salt simply
suspended in the water?

If it is just suspended, what makes it stay suspended?

Why doesn't it settle to the bottom of the container?

Are the water molecules heavier than the salt molecules or vice versa or
are they approximately the same weight?

Thanks for any light that you could shine on these questions!

jim

 

[eljose79]

my

Dear Jimmy,

Thank you for your questions about salt water and fresh water. I am happy to provide some answers and shed some light on this topic.

Firstly, let's talk about what happens to salt in salt water. Salt, which is made up of sodium and chloride ions, dissolves in water. This means that the salt molecules break apart and become surrounded by water molecules, which are polar molecules. This process is called hydration. Essentially, the water molecules form a layer around the salt ions, preventing them from clumping together and staying suspended in the water.

In terms of whether the molecules of water and salt combine or are simply suspended, it is a bit of both. The water molecules do not chemically bond with the salt ions, but they do interact with them through hydrogen bonding and other intermolecular forces. This allows the salt to stay suspended in the water without settling to the bottom of the container.

The reason why salt doesn't settle to the bottom of the container is due to the density of salt water. Salt water is denser than fresh water because of the added mass of the dissolved salt ions. This means that the salt particles are evenly distributed throughout the water, preventing them from settling at the bottom.

In terms of weight, the salt molecules and water molecules have different weights. Salt molecules are heavier than water molecules, which is why salt water is denser than fresh water. However, the difference in weight is not significant enough to cause the salt to sink to the bottom of the container.

I hope this answers your questions about salt water and fresh water. If you have any further questions or would like more information, please don't hesitate to reach out. As scientists, we are always happy to share our knowledge and help others understand the world around us.

 

[charng]

I am happy to provide some answers to your questions about salt water and fresh water.

Firstly, salt water and fresh water differ in their salt content. Salt water contains a higher concentration of dissolved salts, while fresh water has a lower concentration or no salts at all.

Regarding what happens to salt in salt water, the molecules of salt actually dissociate into ions when they come into contact with water. This means that the individual sodium and chloride ions separate from each other and become surrounded by water molecules. This is known as hydration and it allows the salt to dissolve in the water.

The salt in salt water is not simply suspended, but rather it is dissolved and evenly distributed throughout the water. This is why it does not settle to the bottom of the container.

The reason why salt stays suspended in water is due to the constant movement of water molecules. The water molecules are constantly in motion and this motion keeps the salt ions dispersed and prevents them from settling.

The weight of water molecules and salt ions is not the determining factor for why salt stays suspended in water. It is the motion of the water molecules that keeps the salt ions suspended.

I hope this helps to shed some light on your questions. If you have any further questions about salt water and fresh water, please feel free to ask. As scientists, it is our job to continue exploring and understanding the world around us.