Final answer:
Ionic compounds will dissociate nearly completely when dissolved in water, becoming strong electrolytes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When ionic compounds dissolve in water, the ions in the solid separate and disperse uniformly throughout the solution because water molecules surround and solvate the ions, reducing the strong electrostatic forces between them. This process represents a physical change known as dissociation. Under most conditions, ionic compounds will dissociate nearly completely when dissolved, and so they are classified as strong electrolytes. Even sparingly soluble ionic compounds are strong electrolytes, since the small amount that does dissolve will dissociate completely.