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This may be a little challenging if you don't have a solid understanding of chemistry, but basically here is why: sodium chloride (NaCl) is the salt in salt water (water being H2O) When salt dissolves in water it actually breaks into it's most stable ion form Na+ and Cl-. It also should be understood that H2O (water) is in fact H+ and OH- ions, which is a more stable form of liquid water. The reason atoms tend go to an electrically stable state has to do with quantum chemistry. Basically sodium atoms have an extra electron they freely give up to the water solution, while chlorine atoms capture and use that extra electron to stabilize their electrical energy state. Salty water in effect is a solution of sodium, chlorine, hydrogen and hydroxide ions, with electrons going from one atom/molecule to another. This is why salty water is a good conductor of electricity (lots of free electrons to move around).

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Q: Why does saltwater consist of positive and negative ions?
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Related questions

Are ions negatively charged?

You can have positive ions and negative ions. For example, take saltwater which dissociates into: Na+ & Cl- Typically the number positive charges and negative charges must balance.


How can ionic compounds be neutral if they consist of positive and negative ions?

Ionic compounds are neutral because, even though they consist of positive and negative ions, the relative proportions between those ions are such that the total number of negative charges is the same as the total number of positive charges, thus summing to zero.


What properties of metals and saltwater make them good materials for a battery?

saltwater contains ions that help in the flow of electricity as they can 'carry' positive or negative charges.


Do positive ions form faster than negative ions?

yes positive ions are faster then negative ions


Is an ion negative or positive?

Ions can be either positive or negative P.S. but negative ions are way better for you


What is the difference between a negative and a positive?

positive ions carry positive charge and negative ions carry negative charge


What kinds of charges can ions have?

Ions can have either a positive or a negative charge.


Are phosphorus ions positive or negative?

Phosphorus ions are negative.


Does uranium have positive or negative ions?

Sin uranium is a metal it will form negative ions.


What are positive and negative ions called?

Positive ions are called cations. Negative ions are called anions.


Where do the negative ions go?

Negative ions go to a positive electrode.


Do non-metals become positive or negative as ions?

It is possible to make positive ions of nonmetals e.g. oxygen, chlorine, by putting enough energy into them. They normally form negative ions when in a spontaneous reaction.