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Multiple Choice
Which of the following interactions and processes primarily contribute to the dissolution of ionic compounds in water?
A
Hydrogen bonding between the ions themselves
B
London dispersion forces between ions and water molecules
C
Ion-dipole interactions between water molecules and ions, and the hydration process
D
Covalent bonding between ions and water molecules
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that ionic compounds dissolve in water primarily due to interactions between the charged ions and the polar water molecules.
Recognize that water is a polar molecule with a partial positive charge on hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom, enabling it to interact with ions.
Identify that the key interaction responsible for dissolution is the ion-dipole interaction, where the positive or negative ions attract the opposite partial charge on water molecules.
Know that this ion-dipole interaction leads to the hydration process, where water molecules surround and stabilize the ions, preventing them from recombining into a solid.
Eliminate other options such as hydrogen bonding between ions (which do not form hydrogen bonds), London dispersion forces (which are weak and non-specific), and covalent bonding (which does not occur between ions and water in this context).