Question

How do ionic bonds dissolve in water?

Answer 1

You must know that in ionic compounds bonded with ionic bonds are polar compounds as charge distribution is observed. There is the electronegativity difference between the ions. Water is a polar solvent.

Complete step by step answer:
The ionic bond is formed by the transfer of electrons between the metal and a not metal which results in the charge distribution. The metal atom loses its electron to form a positively charged cation and the nonmetal gains electrons to form negatively charged anion. Due to this electronegativity difference is observed in the ionic compound. Example of an ionic compound is sodium chloride NaCl where $N{a^ + }$ is cation and $C{l^ - }$ is a cation. The chlorine is more electronegative in nature than sodium therefore electronegativity difference is seen. Therefore the compound is a polar compound.
As like dissolves like. The polar compound dissolves in polar solvent. The best example of polar solvent is water which is the universal solvent as it can dissolve a number of compounds.
When an ionic compound is mixed in the water, the ionic compound breaks down due to the polarity of water surrounding it. In water the oxygen is an electronegative element whereas the hydrogen is electropositive in nature. The electronegative oxygen atom will attract the electropositive metal ion and the electropositive hydrogen atom will attract the electronegative chlorine ion.
The dissociation of sodium chloride in water is shown below.
$NaCl\xrightarrow{{{H_2}O}}N{a^ + } + C{l^ - }$
This is how ionic compounds dissociate and dissolve in water.

Note: Ionic compound in its pure form does not conduct electricity as the ions are compact and cannot move but when dissolved in water the ions are free to move therefore they are able to conduct electricity.