Describe how an ionic compound would dissolve (dissociate) in a polar solvent.(3 points)

Question

Responses

Ionic compounds always have stronger bonding forces and polar solvents. However, when agitated, ionic compounds break apart and reform bond with the polar solvent.
Ionic compounds always have stronger bonding forces and polar solvents. However, when agitated, ionic compounds break apart and reform bond with the polar solvent.

Ionic compounds have a (+) and a (-) side and polar solvents have a (+) and a (-) side as well. And in a chemical system, opposites attract so each oppositely charged side will be attracted.
Ionic compounds have a (+) and a (-) side and polar solvents have a (+) and a (-) side as well. And in a chemical system, opposites attract so each oppositely charged side will be attracted.

Because everything dissolves in a polar solvent.
Because everything dissolves in a polar solvent.

Ionic compounds do not have a charge and therefore would not dissolve in a polar solvent.

Answer 1

When an ionic compound dissolves in a polar solvent, the process is typically characterized by the following key points:

1. Interaction of Charges: Ionic compounds consist of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. Polar solvents, like water, have a partial positive charge on one end (due to hydrogen) and a partial negative charge on the other end (due to oxygen). This polarity allows the solvent molecules to interact with the charged ions in the ionic compound.

2. Dissociation Process: When the ionic compound is placed in the polar solvent, the solvent molecules surround the individual ions. The polar nature of the solvent molecules leads to an attraction between the solvent and the ions. The partial negative charge of the solvent (e.g., oxygen in water) is attracted to the positively charged cations, while the partial positive charge of the solvent (e.g., hydrogen in water) attracts the negatively charged anions.

3. Separation of Ions: As the solvent molecules surround and interact with the ions, they provide enough energy to overcome the electrostatic forces holding the ions together in the solid lattice structure. This results in the dissociation of the ionic compound into its constituent ions, allowing them to disperse uniformly throughout the solution.

Thus, the correct understanding of the dissolution process is that the interaction of polar solvent molecules with the charged ions leads to the dissociation of the ionic compound.