Final answer:
Positively and negatively charged ions in water are called cations and anions, respectively. These ions are surrounded by water molecules in a solvation shell, which stabilizes them in solution due to ion-dipole attractions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Positively charged ions in water are known as cations, while negatively charged ions are called anions. These charged ions are formed when atoms lose or gain electrons, respectively, resulting in an ion with a net electric charge. When ionic compounds like sodium chloride (NaCl) are dissolved in water, dissociation occurs where the compounds are separated into their constituent ions (Na+ and Cl−). The water molecules that surround these ions form what is known as a solvation shell, which stabilizes the ions in solution thanks to the water's ability to solvate and interact with the charged particles.
Typically, the oxygen end of the water molecule, which has a partial negative charge, will surround a cation due to electrostatic attraction, whereas the hydrogen ends, which carry a partial positive charge, will surround an anion. This ion-water interaction is crucial for enabling the ions to exist freely in solution and is a prime example of ion-dipole attraction.