What happens to a compound when it dissolves?

Answer 1

When a molecular compound like sugar dissolves, and individual sugar molecules are suspended in the water. When a molecular compound dissolves in water, none of the bonds in the molecule are broken. However, the bonds between the molecules are broken (the bonds between two different molecules are what hold sugar together, making it a solid).

When you dissolve an ionic compound, like table salt(which is called sodium chloride with formula NaCl), it is slightly different. Here, the bonds in the salt crystals also break down as before, but now the bond between the sodium (Na) and the chloride (Cl) are also broken. This results in a solution of ions in the water, composed of Na+ and an equal amount of Cl-.

See the Related Questions links to find out how to tell the difference between an ionic and a molecular compound.

Answer 2

when a solid dissolves in water (or any liquid) the particlesbreak up. in a solid, all particles are fixed together and cannot move. a liquid will break up the particles, making them too small to see.

for example, if you were to stir sugar in water, the sugar will break up, and 'disappear', but it will still taste of sugar as it is still present.

Answer 3

The solid compound gets solvated by H2O molecules. Water has partial charges with the oxygen being partially negative and hydrogen partially positive which will surround opposite charges on solutes

Answer 4

When a compound dissolves, the individual molecules or ions of the compound separate and become surrounded by the solvent molecules. This process involves breaking the attractive forces between the compound's particles and forming new interactions with the solvent molecules, leading to a homogeneous mixture with the compound evenly distributed throughout the solvent.

Answer 5

the ionic solid will dissolve in water to form ions. the ions will generally be solvated by water.

Answer 6

it breaks up into individual crystals.