---
title: "A student investigates two different processes involving sodium chloride, \\(\\text{NaCl}\\):  Process 1: Solid sodium chloride dissolves in water at \\(25\\ ^\\circ\\text{C}\\): \\[ \\text{NaCl}(s) \\rightarrow \\text{Na}^+(aq) + \\text{Cl}^-(aq) \\]  Process 2: Molten sodium chloride undergoes electrolysis at \\(850\\ ^\\circ\\text{C}\\): \\[ 2\\,\\text{NaCl}(l) \\rightarrow 2\\,\\text{Na}(l) + \\text{Cl}_2(g) \\]  Which of the following correctly classifies Process 2 and provides the best justification?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119967/"
date_modified: "2026-08-21T08:31:15+00:00"
---

# A student investigates two different processes involving sodium chloride, \(\text{NaCl}\):

Process 1: Solid sodium chloride dissolves in water at \(25\ ^\circ\text{C}\):
\[ \text{NaCl}(s) \rightarrow \text{Na}^+(aq) + \text{Cl}^-(aq) \]

Process 2: Molten sodium chloride undergoes electrolysis at \(850\ ^\circ\text{C}\):
\[ 2\,\text{NaCl}(l) \rightarrow 2\,\text{Na}(l) + \text{Cl}_2(g) \]

Which of the following correctly classifies Process 2 and provides the best justification?

A student investigates two different processes involving sodium chloride, \(\text{NaCl}\):

Process 1: Solid sodium chloride dissolves in water at \(25\ ^\circ\text{C}\):
\[ \text{NaCl}(s) \rightarrow \text{Na}^+(aq) + \text{Cl}^-(aq) \]

Process 2: Molten sodium chloride undergoes electrolysis at \(850\ ^\circ\text{C}\):
\[ 2\,\text{NaCl}(l) \rightarrow 2\,\text{Na}(l) + \text{Cl}_2(g) \]

Which of the following correctly classifies Process 2 and provides the best justification?

- **A.** Process 2 is a chemical change because the \(\text{Na}^+\) and \(\text{Cl}^-\) ions are separated as ion-dipole attractions are formed.
- **B.** Process 2 is a chemical change because electron transfer occurs, producing new substances with different chemical properties than the reactant.
- **C.** Process 2 is a physical change because the formation of \(\text{Cl}_2(g)\) is simply a phase change from the liquid state.
- **D.** Process 2 is a physical change because the total mass and the number of sodium and chlorine atoms are conserved.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119967/*