Question

Give the properties and uses of Sodium chloride.

Answer 1

Properties and uses of sodium chloride:

• Common salt is a colourless and crystalline ionic compound. There is no water of crystallization in its crystalline structure.
• It is a neutral salt, salty in taste.
• This compound is used for the production of salts like Na₂CO₃ , NaHCO₃.
• When an electric current is passed through a saturated solution of sodium chloride (brine), it is electrolysed and hydrogen gas is released at the cathode while chlorine gas is released at the anode.
• This method is used for production of chlorine gas. In this method an important basic compound NaOH is formed in the cell.

2NaCl + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + Cl₂ ↑ + H₂ ↑

• When salt is heated to a high temperature (about 800 °C), it melts. This is called the fused state of the salt.
• When fused salt is electrolysed, chlorine gas is released at the anode and liquid sodium metal, at the cathode.