what does the statement " the properties of salts are different from the properties of the elements that go into making them" means?

Compounds have different properties than their elements, whether they are salts or not. You can compare NaCL properties with Na and Cl.

The statement "the properties of salts are different from the properties of the elements that go into making them" means that when elements combine to form salts, the resulting compounds have different characteristics and behaviors compared to the original elements.

To understand why, it's important to know what happens when elements react to form salts. Salt is typically formed when a metal atom or a positive ion (cation) combines with a non-metal atom or a negative ion (anion). During this process, the metal atoms lose electrons and become positively charged, while the non-metal atoms gain electrons and become negatively charged.

These oppositely charged ions are held together by electrostatic forces, forming a lattice structure. This ionic bonding results in the formation of a salt compound, such as sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium nitrate (KNO3).

The properties of salts are different from the properties of their constituent elements for several reasons:

1. Melting and boiling points: Salts generally have higher melting and boiling points compared to their constituent elements. This is because the strong electrostatic forces between the ions in a salt lattice require more energy to break them apart.

2. Solubility: Salts have different solubilities in water or other solvents compared to their constituent elements. Some salts may readily dissolve in water, while others may be insoluble or only partially soluble.

3. Conductivity: Salts, when dissolved in water or melted, can conduct electricity. This is because the charged ions are free to move and carry an electric current. In contrast, pure elements usually do not conduct electricity.

4. Chemical reactivity: Salts exhibit different chemical reactivity compared to their constituent elements. For example, sodium (a reactive metal) is highly reactive with water, but sodium chloride (table salt) does not react vigorously with water.

These differences in properties arise from the arrangement of the ions in the crystal lattice and the presence of charged species in the compound. Understanding these properties is crucial for various applications, such as in the food industry (salt as a seasoning), agriculture (fertilizers), and medicine.