In a diagram of an aqueous sodium chloride solution, the box contains 350 water molecules, 40 red spheres labeled Na⁺, and 40 green spheres labeled Cl⁻. Which statement correctly identifies the solute and solvent?
a) Na+ and Cl− are the solvents, while water is the solute.
b) Water is the solvent; Na+ and Cl− ions together constitute the solute.
c) Na+ is the solute, whereas Cl− acts as the solvent because it is surrounded by water molecules.
d) No single component is the solvent; water, Na+, and Cl− should all be considered solutes in this solution.