Final answer:
When a solute is added to water, ionic compounds dissociate into ions, while molecular solutes dissolve due to favorable interactions with water.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a solute is added to water, the process of dissociation or solubilization occurs depending on the nature of the solute. If the solute is ionic, such as table salt (NaCl), dissociation takes place, in which the NaCl molecules separate into Na+ and Cl- ions.
These ions are then surrounded by the polar water molecules, forming hydration shells. On the other hand, when molecular solutes like sugar are added, they dissolve because their polar groups interact favorably with water, but they do not dissociate into ions.
This solubilization may impact the physical properties of the solvent, such as its volume and concentration. It's important to note that the 'like dissolves like' principle applies widely; substances with similar intermolecular forces are more likely to form solutions.
Additionally, the ability of a solute to dissolve may be increased by the presence of certain salts that enhance solute-water interaction, a phenomenon known as salting-in.
The 'like dissolves like' principle helps predict the solubility of various substances in water.