Final answer:
When ionic compounds dissolve in water, they form a solution that contains the separate ions, form a solution that conducts electricity, and ionize to form separate ions.
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. When the ions are separated, the resulting solution contains the separate ions, which means that option (a) is correct. Since the ions are free to move in the solution, the solution conducts electricity, making option (b) also correct. Finally, since the ions in the ionic compounds are separated and dispersed in the solution, the ionic compounds ionize to form separate ions, which makes option (c) correct as well. Therefore, the correct answer is option (d), all of the above.