Answer:
- Polar solvents dissolve ionic solids because the negative ends of the polar molecules of the solvent attract the positive ions (cations) of the solute, while the positive ends of the polar molecules of the solvent attract the negative ions (anions) of the solute.
- And, the forces of atraction between the polar molecules and the ions are stronger than the forces of attraction that keep together the ions of the ionic compound.
Step-by-step explanation:
Solvation is the name of the process by which the solvent molecules attract, surround, and finally dissolve the solute particles (molecules or ions).
There is a golden rule in chemistry for the solvation processes: "like dissolves like", meaning that polar solvents dissolve polar or ionic solutes.
Polar solvents dissolve ionic solids because the forces of attraction between the polar molecules and the ions are stronger than the forces of attraction that keep the ions (cations and anions) together in the ionic compound.
Only when that happens, the ions of the ionic solid may get separated from each other, mix with the solvent molecules, and, then, get dissolved, forming the solution.