A student sets up an experiment to test the factors that affect the solubility of sodium chloride. The student places 5.0 g of sodium chloride in four beakers, each containing 250 mL of water. The student places each beaker on a different hot plate and heats them to the following temperatures:

- Beaker A: 30°C
- Beaker B: 40°C
- Beaker C: 50°C
- Beaker D: 60°C

In which beaker would the sodium chloride dissolve at the fastest rate?

A. Beaker A
B. Beaker B
C. Beaker C
D. Beaker D

The sodium chloride would dissolve at the fastest rate in Beaker D which is at 60°C, because solubility generally increases with an increase in temperature.

Explanation:

The rate at which sodium chloride dissolves depends on various factors, including temperature. Based on the concept that solubility of solid substances generally increases with temperature, the sodium chloride in Beaker D, which is at 60°C, would dissolve at the fastest rate. This is because as you heat a solvent, the kinetic energy of its particles increases, thereby allowing more solute particles to interact and be surrounded by solvent molecules, leading to an increased rate of dissolution.