Final answer:
Ionic compounds dissolve in water through a process called dissociation, where the ions in the solid separate and disperse throughout the solution. This results in the formation of a strong electrolyte.
Step-by-step explanation:
When ionic compounds dissolve in water, the ions in the solid separate and disperse uniformly throughout the solution because water molecules surround and solvate the ions, reducing the strong electrostatic forces between them. This process represents a physical change known as dissociation. Under most conditions, ionic compounds will dissociate nearly completely when dissolved, and so they are classified as strong electrolytes.