When salt dissolves in water, the water molecules form ____ around the Na⁺and Cl^-ions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When salt (NaCl) dissolves in water, the water molecules surround the sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ions in a process known as hydration. This results in the formation of hydration layers around the ions, where the polar water molecules are oriented in such a way that their positive and negative ends align with the negative and positive ions, respectively. This is not a covalent or ionic bonding process, nor does it involve the formation of nonpolar interactions or membranes.

When Salt Dissolves in Water, the Water Molecules Form ____