The Solubility of NaCl is greater in water than ethanol. What physical property of the solvent governs this difference ?

(1) Surface tension
(2) Viscosity
(3) Dielectric constant
(4 ) Boiling point

Why is NaCl More Soluble in Water Than in Ethanol?

H1: Understanding NaCl Solubility in Water and Ethanol

The solubility of a salt like sodium chloride (NaCl) depends on the solvent’s physical properties. Water is a better solvent for NaCl than ethanol due to its dielectric constant.

 Correct Answer – Dielectric Constant (3)

Among the given options, the correct answer is:
✔ (3) Dielectric Constant

Role of Dielectric Constant in Solubility

• Dielectric constant is a measure of a solvent’s ability to reduce electrostatic forces between charged species.
• Water has a high dielectric constant (~78.5), which effectively separates Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions and dissolves them completely.
• Ethanol has a lower dielectric constant (~24.3), making it less efficient in breaking ionic bonds, leading to lower solubility of NaCl.

Other Factors and Their Impact

• Surface Tension (1) – Affects liquid properties but not directly related to ionic solubility.
• Viscosity (2) – Influences diffusion but not dissolution capability.
• Boiling Point (4) – Unrelated to NaCl solubility.

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