answersLogoWhite

0

The dissolution of a crystal is the process of the solvent breaking down the crystal structure. The component ions of salts are held together by electrostatic attractions and the solvent must overpower these to dissolve the crystals.

To use the example of sodium chloride (table salt) in water, the sodium atom donates an electron to the chlorine atom and takes on a positive charge. The chlorine atom accepts the electron and takes on a negative charge. The two are now referred to as sodium cation and chloride anion, respectively. Once the charges are established, the two ions are attracted to each other by virtue of the relationship described in Coulomb's Law where the force between the two atoms is a function of their charges, the distance between their nuclear centers, and the Coulomb constant.

When introduced into water, the electrostatic attraction between the sodium cation and chloride anion is overpowered by the dipole moment of the water molecule. The positively charged sodium cation is attracted to the oxygen atom, which carries a partial negative charge. The chloride anion is attracted to the hydrogen atoms, which carry partial positive charges.

This gives rise to the saying, "like dissolves like," since polar solvents, like water, tend to dissolve polar solutes, like ionic salts.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What happens when salt is placed in a watch glass?

When salt is placed in a watch glass, it remains as solid crystals. If water is added, the salt will dissolve depending on the amount of water added. The solution may evaporate, leaving behind the salt crystals.


What happens to salt when the water evaporates?

Salt remain as a residue.


When salt crystals are placed in water the sodium and chloride ions cannot reform salt crystals why?

When salt crystals are placed in water, the sodium and chloride ions dissociate from each other due to the polar nature of water molecules. The water molecules surround the individual ions and prevent them from recombining to form salt crystals. This dissolution of the salt into its constituent ions is due to the strong interaction between the water molecules and the ions.


What happens when fresh water cell is placed in salt water?

it dies


What happens when you mix water and salt and leave it for a week?

If you mix water and salt and leave it for a week, the water will evaporate but the salt will remain. As the water evaporates, the salt crystals will gradually become more concentrated. Eventually, you will be left with a solid mass of salt crystals.


What happens when saltwater evaporate?

The water evaporates but the salt does not. This leaves behind crystals of salt on the surfaces.


What happens to a salt solution placed in the sun for 1 week what would happen at the end of the week?

Evaporation would occur and salt crystals would form.


What happens to fresh water fish are placed in salt water?

They die because they can not live in saltwater, due to the salt.


How could you get salt crystals out of salt water?

You can get salt crystals out of salt water by evaporating the water. This can be done by leaving the salt water in a shallow container in the sun or by heating it gently. As the water evaporates, salt crystals will start to form and can be collected.


What happens when salt water evaporates and leaves behind salt crystals?

When salt water evaporates, the water molecules in the solution turn into vapor and escape into the air, leaving behind the salt molecules. As more water evaporates, the concentration of salt in the remaining water increases. Eventually, the water is completely evaporated, and only salt crystals are left behind.


Does salt form crystals?

Table salt is made of many tiny crystals. When you mix these salt crystals with water, they dissolve, losing their crystalline form. When the water evaporates, the salt crystals form once again.


What does the salt have that makes crystals?

dilute salt in water to form a solution, then evaporate the water and you are left with salt crystals - gamemaster12321