Given an aqueous solution of NaCl, which of the following is the simplest method for the separation of NaCl from the solution?

1. evaporation of solution to dryness
2. filtration of solution
3. osmosis of solution
4.centrifuging the solution
5. electrolysis of solution

Is it 1. evaporation of solution to dryness?

That is, by far, the simplest.

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Yes, the simplest method for the separation of NaCl from an aqueous solution is 1. evaporation of solution to dryness.

To understand why this method is the most suitable, let's evaluate the other options:

2. Filtration of solution: Filtration is a process used to separate solid particles from a liquid by passing it through a filter. However, in the case of NaCl dissolved in water, the salt is in the form of ions (Na+ and Cl-) and would pass through the filter along with the water.

3. Osmosis of solution: Osmosis is the movement of solvent molecules from an area of low solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration through a selectively permeable membrane. This process is not suitable for separating NaCl from a solution.

4. Centrifuging the solution: Centrifugation involves spinning a mixture at high speeds to separate components based on their density. However, NaCl is dissolved in water, so it cannot be separated by centrifugation since it does not have a different density from the solvent.

5. Electrolysis of solution: Electrolysis involves passing an electric current through a solution to undergo a chemical reaction. While electrolysis can separate compounds, it is a more complex and specialized method compared to evaporation and not the simplest option for this situation.

Therefore, 1. evaporation of the solution to dryness is the most straightforward and practical method for separating NaCl from the aqueous solution.