The most common ion dissolved in river water is chloride, carbonate, sodium, phosphate, or nitrate. I think the answer is sodium chloride but the answer has these two separated. Is the answer just sodium?
No, the answer is not sodium.
The answer is chloride ion. Later on in chemistry, you will learn why the ions are separated.
To determine the most common ion dissolved in river water, we need to consider the sources of ions that contribute to the water composition. In this case, we are given the options chloride, carbonate, sodium, phosphate, and nitrate.
To find the most common ion, we can examine the relative abundances of each of these ions in river water. One way to determine this is by analyzing the chemical composition of river water samples and calculating the concentrations of different ions.
However, without specific data or a research study, it is difficult to definitively determine the exact most common ion dissolved in river water. River water composition can vary depending on factors such as location, climate, and human activities in the area.
That being said, chloride ions are typically present in river water due to various sources like industrial effluents, road salt runoff, and natural weathering processes. Chloride is often the most abundant anion found in river water. Carbonate, sodium, phosphate, and nitrate ions may also be present but their concentrations can vary depending on local conditions.
So, the answer is not sodium chloride but rather chloride ions. Sodium ions may also be present, but they do not make up the most common ion dissolved in river water.