Final answer:
Ionic compounds dissociate into their constituent ions when dissolved in water as a result of interaction with the polar water molecules. This process, known as dissociation, reduces the electrostatic forces within the solid, allowing ions to separate and creating a solution that can conduct electricity.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an ionic compound dissolves in water, the solid compound dissociates into its constituent ions. This dissolution is facilitated by the polarization of water molecules, leading to the formation of spheres of hydration around each dispersed ion. Water molecules, being polar, have a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms. Consequently, when table salt (NaCl) is added to water, the Na+ (sodium) ions are surrounded by the oxygen atoms, while the Cl- (chloride) ions are surrounded by the hydrogen atoms of water molecules. This interaction significantly reduces the electrostatic forces that hold the ions together in the solid, allowing them to separate and disperse throughout the solution. This process is a physical one known as dissociation and results in the ionic compound becoming a strong electrolyte, as it dissociates nearly completely in solution allowing it to conduct electricity.