Multiple Choice
Which statement best explains water's ability to dissolve covalent compounds?
14. Solutions
Solutions: Solubility and Intermolecular Forces
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How do water molecules dissolve a salt?
A
Water molecules surround and separate the ions in the salt.
B
Water molecules react chemically with the salt to form a new compound.
C
Water molecules increase the temperature to melt the salt.
D
Water molecules form covalent bonds with the salt ions.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the nature of the salt: Salts are typically ionic compounds composed of positive and negative ions.
Understand the structure of water: Water is a polar molecule with a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom.
Recognize the interaction between water and salt: The polar nature of water allows it to interact with the charged ions in the salt.
Describe the dissolution process: Water molecules surround the individual ions in the salt, with the oxygen side facing the positive ions and the hydrogen side facing the negative ions, effectively separating them.
Conclude the dissolution: This process of surrounding and separating the ions is known as solvation, which leads to the salt dissolving in water without forming new compounds or covalent bonds.
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