Question

How does strenth of the attraction between water molecules and sodium and chloride ions compare with the strength of the attraction between the sodium ions and chloride ions?

Answer 1

The attraction between water molecules and sodium and chloride ions is strong due to ion-dipole forces and it weakens the ionic lattice of a crystal, enabling dissolution. However, it is comparatively less than the ionic bond between Na+ and Cl- ions in the crystal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The strength of attraction between water molecules and sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) ions is relatively strong due to ion-dipole forces, but it differs from the ionic bond that exists between sodium and chloride ions within a crystal. In a sodium chloride crystal, the Na+ and Cl− ions are held together by electrostatic forces in a three-dimensional lattice, resulting in a very strong ionic bond. However, when NaCl dissolves in water, these ionic bonds are overcome by the action of water molecules. The oxygen ends of the water molecules, being partially negative, are attracted to the positively charged sodium ions, while the hydrogen ends, being partially positive, are attracted to the negatively charged chloride ions. This interaction weakens the cohesive forces in the crystal lattice, allowing it to dissociate.

Answer 2

I think the attraction of water with the ions is stronger than just the ions attraction, because if the attraction was greater than that of water, it would not have dissolved. Sodium is positively charged so it attracts the oxygen while hydrogen faces away, while chloride ion is negative and therefore it attracts the hydrogen atoms while the oxygen atom faces away.