Question

Why does salt dissolve in water? What is happening at the molecular level? (greater than 100 words please)

Answer 1

Chemical formula of Common Salt: NaCl (Sodium chloride).

Sodium chloride is formed by the transfer of electrons between Sodium and Chlorine. So there exists charge separation (existence of dipoles) in this molecule. Hence it is considered to be a polar molecule.

It is always true that like dissolves in like. Polar molecules dissolve in polar solvents and non-polar molecules dissolves in non-polar solvents.

Water is also a polar molecule (existence of partial dipoles).

Sodium chloride a polar molecule will dissolve in polar solvent like water.

When sodium chloride dissolved in water it dissociates into ions such as Na⁺ and Cl^- and water also dissociates as H⁺ and OH^- ions. There exists attraction between oppositely charged species in the solution.