Question

Describe how water dissolves a salt.

   Describe how water dissolves a salt.

Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology

Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology

Teresa Audesirk,… 11th Edition

Chapter 2, Problem 6

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Christiane Williams

02/02/2022

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It consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Hydrogen has a positive charge due to its location on the periodic table, and oxygen has a negative charge. This is represented as: \[H_2O \rightarrow H^+ + O^-\] Show more…

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Describe how water dissolves a salt.

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Key Concepts

Lattice Energy vs. Hydration Energy

The dissolution process relies on a balance between lattice energy, the energy holding the ions together in the solid salt, and hydration energy, the energy released when water molecules surround the ions. When the hydration energy is sufficient to overcome the lattice energy, the salt dissolves successfully in water.

Hydration

Hydration refers to the process by which water molecules surround and interact with individual ions. This encapsulation stabilizes the ions in solution, preventing them from recombining and effectively keeping the salt dissolved.

Water Polarity

Water is a polar molecule with a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom. This polarity is central to its ability to interact with charged particles, making water an excellent solvent for ionic compounds like salts.

Ion-Dipole Interactions

When salt dissolves in water, the positive and negative ions in the salt experience strong attractions to the oppositely charged ends of water molecules. These ion-dipole interactions help in pulling the ions away from the crystal lattice and into the solution.

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