What are the properties of table salt?

Table salt, also known as sodium chloride, is a white or colorless crystal that sometimes appears to be a powder. This solid compound is also odorless and soluble in water. Its molecular formula is NaCl.

One of the processes used to produce table salt is called solution mining. In solution mining, water is pumped underground into a salt bed or dome to create a salt solution. The solution is then pumped through a plant for purification. Table salt is also used in the preservation of food due to its ability to draw water out of food. This process is called osmosis.