Question

Which of the following best explains how water is able to dissolve ionic substances?

Answer 1

Answer: The positive and negative charges of the water molecule pull on the negative and positive ends of the ionic molecule to break them apart.

Explanation:  

Ionic compounds dissolve in polar solvents such as water as like dissolves like. Ionic compounds are made up of ions which remain attracted by coloumbic forces.  

Thus to separate the ions, the positive and negative charges of polar solvent pulls the opposite charges of the ionic compounds and thus break them apart. Thus the ionic compounds dissolve in water.

Answer 2

The correct answer to this question is "The positive and negative charges of the water molecule pull on the negative and positive ends of the ionic molecule to break them apart." This best explains how water is able to dissolve ionic substances. Thank you for posting your question. I hope that this answer helped you. Let me know if you need more help.