What aspect of the structure of water makes it an excellet solvent for ionic compounds?

Question

Describe the process of forming a solution.


I have no idea what the answer to this is! help!?

Answer 1

Water is a polar molecule, with partial positive charges on the hydrogens, and partial negative charges on the oxygen. When an ionic compound (i.e. salt, NaCl) is introduced to water, both the compound and the water partially dissociate (break apart) and interact with each other. The H3O+ and OH- water ions solvate (that is, attract each other due to electrostatic forces, opposite charges) the Na+ and Cl- ions, forming a stable solution.

Note that no chemical change actually takes place (you still have water and salt) but rather an equilibrium between water, salt, and their respective ions.

Answer 2

The fact that it is polar ie a dipole. For a positive ion, the partially negative O atoms face inwards, towards the ion. For a negative ion, the partially positive H atoms face inwards. The energy released in this way helps to break up the solid lattice.

Answer 3

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