What occurs when an ionic solid dissolves in water?

When an ionic solid dissolves in water, it dissociates into ions, which is the process that leads to the formation of an electrolyte solution. This dissociation occurs because the strong electrostatic forces between the positively and negatively charged ions in the solid lattice are overcome by the interactions with water molecules. Water, being a polar solvent, surrounds the individual ions and effectively separates them from the solid structure.

The hydration of these ions facilitates their movement in solution, allowing them to interact with other solute and solvent species. This property is fundamental to understanding how ionic compounds behave in aqueous environments, which is essential knowledge for predicting the outcomes of chemical reactions involving ionic species.