What does solvation refer to in aqueous solutions?

Solvation specifically refers to the process by which solvent molecules surround and interact with solute particles, facilitating their dispersion and dissolution within the solvent. This interaction is crucial in aqueous solutions, where water molecules, due to their polarity and hydrogen bonding capability, effectively solvate various solute species, such as ionic and polar compounds.

When solute particles enter the solvent, the solvent molecules form a "cage" around them, stabilizing them in solution through various interactions like ion-dipole forces or hydrogen bonding. This is crucial for the dissolution process, as it helps to break apart the solute's intermolecular or ionic forces, allowing the solute to mix thoroughly with the solvent.

The other options do not accurately represent the concept of solvation. Freezing the solvent describes a physical state change rather than the interaction of solute and solvent. Heating the solute may facilitate dissolution but does not encompass the process of solvation itself. Separating ions from the solvent does not reflect the nature of solvation, which involves the interaction and stabilization of solute particles by solvent molecules, not their separation.