Final answer:
Sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolved in the experiment, while sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) did not dissolve. Sodium chloride is highly soluble in water due to its ionic nature, while sodium carbonate is moderately soluble. This is confirmed by a reputable source, the OpenStax Chemistry textbook.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the experiment, the salt that dissolved in water was sodium chloride (NaCl), while the salt that didn't dissolve was sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). We can determine this by observing the dissolution process. Sodium chloride dissolves in water due to its ionic nature, breaking down into Na+ and Cl- ions that are attracted to the water molecules. On the other hand, sodium carbonate is less soluble in water because it forms a weak acid when dissolved, resulting in the release of carbonate ions (CO3 2-) which do not readily dissolve.
A reputable source that supports these claims can be found in the OpenStax Chemistry textbook. According to their information, sodium chloride is highly soluble in water while sodium carbonate is only moderately soluble, confirming our observations.