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Which of the following usually occurs when a molecule dissolves in water?

a. The covalent bonds in the molecule break.
b. The covalent bonds in water break.
c. Covalent bonds between the molecule and water form.
d. Covalent bonds between several of the molecules form.
e. Hydrogen bonds form between the molecule and water.

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User Ben Rowe
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2 Answers

3 votes

Answer:

e. Hydrogen bonds form between the molecule and water.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a molecule dissolves in water, it is typically because the molecule has polar or charged regions that can interact with the polar water molecules. Water is a highly polar molecule due to its bent shape and the presence of electronegative oxygen atoms. As a result, it forms hydrogen bonds with other water molecules and with other polar or charged substances.

When a molecule dissolves in water, the water molecules surround the individual molecules and interact with them through hydrogen bonding. The positively charged hydrogen atoms of water form hydrogen bonds with negatively charged regions of the dissolved molecule, such as oxygen or nitrogen atoms, or with partially negative regions due to uneven distribution of electron density. This interaction between the water molecules and the dissolved molecule is what allows the molecule to become dispersed and solvated in the water, forming a homogeneous mixture.

It's important to note that during the dissolution process, the covalent bonds within both the water molecules and the dissolved molecule generally remain intact. Dissolving in water does not typically involve breaking the covalent bonds within the molecule or the water molecule. Instead, it involves the formation of hydrogen bonds between the solvent (water) and solute (dissolved molecule).

answered
User Mansur Kurtov
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8.6k points
2 votes

Final answer:

Hydrogen bonds form between the molecule and water when a molecule dissolves in it. Water's polar nature allows the formation of hydration shells around solvated ions without the breaking of covalent bonds within the water or solute molecules. So the correct option is (e).

Step-by-step explanation:

When a molecule dissolves in water, hydrogen bonds form between the molecule and water. This occurs because water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a significant molecular dipole. As a result, water can interact strongly with other polar molecules and solvate ions from ionic compounds without breaking their covalent bonds. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is option (e), Hydrogen bonds form between the molecule and water.

In the dissolution process, the electrostatic attractions that hold ions together in an ionic compound are overcome by the interactions with water, and these ions are solvated by water molecules. The slightly positive hydrogen atoms in water are attracted to anions, while the slightly negative oxygen atoms in water are attracted to cations. This interaction forms a hydration shell around the ions. However, it is important to clarify that the covalent bonds within a molecule of water, or between the atoms in the solute molecule, do not break when dissolved.

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User Krab
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8.3k points

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