To calculate the percent by mass of NaCl in the solution, you can use the following formula:
\[ \text{Percent by mass} = \left( \frac{\text{mass of solute}}{\text{mass of solute} + \text{mass of solvent}} \right) \times 100 \]
In this case, the mass of the solute (NaCl) is 17.5 g, and the mass of the solvent (water) is 500.0 g.
First, calculate the total mass of the solution:
\[ \text{Total mass of solution} = \text{mass of solute} + \text{mass of solvent} = 17.5 , \text{g} + 500.0 , \text{g} = 517.5 , \text{g} \]
Next, apply the values to the percent by mass formula:
\[ \text{Percent by mass} = \left( \frac{17.5}{517.5} \right) \times 100 \]
Calculating that gives:
\[ \text{Percent by mass} = 0.0338 \times 100 = 3.38% \]
Therefore, the correct answer is:
d) 3.38%