Which of the following occurs during the dissolution of an ionic solute in water?

• A. The ions remain in their solid lattice and do not interact with water.
• B. Water molecules form covalent bonds with the ions.
• C. The ionic solute reacts with water to produce a gas.
• D. The ionic lattice breaks apart and ions become surrounded by water molecules.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that dissolution of an ionic solute in water involves the separation of the solid ionic lattice into individual ions.
2. Recognize that water molecules interact with these ions through ion-dipole forces, not by forming covalent bonds.
3. Recall that the ionic lattice breaks apart because the attraction between ions and water molecules overcomes the ionic bonds in the solid.
4. Note that the ions become surrounded by water molecules, a process called hydration or solvation, which stabilizes the ions in solution.
5. Conclude that the correct description of dissolution is that the ionic lattice breaks apart and ions become surrounded by water molecules.