Final answer:
When an ionic solid dissolves in water, the ions separate and become surrounded by water molecules in a process called dissociation, turning them into strong electrolytes as they dissociate completely.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an ionic solid dissolves in water, the ions that make up the solid separate and disperse uniformly throughout the solution. This occurs because water molecules surround and solvate the ions, effectively reducing the strong electrostatic forces between them. This phenomenon is known as dissociation, which is a physical change where ionic compounds break apart into their constituent ions. Despite the potential for ionic compounds to be sparingly soluble, once they dissolve, they will dissociate completely, classifying them as strong electrolytes. This is because the hydrated ions are evenly distributed throughout the water due to the ion-dipole interactions and nature's tendency to disperse particles.