How does an ionic compound dissolve in water?
Many ionic compounds, such as salts and minerals, dissolve in water. This process occurs because the water molecules break the chemical bonds in the compound.IdentificationAn ionic compound is a substance made of two or more ions. An ion is an atom or molecule that carries a charge, either positive or negative.PropertiesThe positive and negative ions in an ionic compound are attracted to each other. The resulting chemical bonds are called ionic bonds.Dissolving in WaterTo dissolve an ionic compound, water molecules must be able to disrupt the attraction between the positive and negative ions. When the ionic bonds are broken, the compound dissolves and the ions float freely in the water.SolutionsWhen dissolved in water, an ionic compound is said to be in solution. The ionic compound is called a solute and the water is a solvent.SolubilitySolubility is a measure of how much of a solute can dissolve in a given quantity of solvent at a given temperature.
