How does the strength of the attraction between water molecules and sodium and chloride ions compare with the strength of the attraction between the sodium ions and chloride ions?
1 answer
I assume you are talking about the Na+ and Cl- in the crystal. Wouldn't you think that the attraction between the water molecules and the ions is greater since adding NaCl crystals to water breaks the crystal lattice and the Na+ and Cl- are free to move about in solution.