Why does table salt dissolve so well in water?
Quick Answer
Salt dissolves because water molecules are polar and can pull sodium and chloride ions apart. The ions become surrounded by water molecules in a process called hydration.
The Full Story
Table salt, sodium chloride, dissolves easily because water is a polar solvent: its molecules have a positive side and a negative side. Those polar water molecules attract the sodium and chloride ions strongly enough to break the crystal lattice apart. Once separated, the ions are stabilized by hydration shells, which keep them dispersed in solution. This is why ordinary water is such an effective solvent for many ionic compounds and one reason salt water conducts electricity.
Key Facts
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