Question

recall an unanswered question from lesson 4: why is water good at dissolving salts, and why do salts make water more conductive? model it!

Explanation:

Step1: Understand water - salt interaction

Water is a polar molecule. Salts are ionic compounds. The positive end of water molecules (hydrogen - side) is attracted to the anions in the salt, and the negative end (oxygen - side) is attracted to the cations. This is called hydration.

Step2: Explain dissolution

The hydration process overcomes the ionic bonds in the salt, separating the ions. These free - floating ions in water are what we call dissolved salts.

Step3: Explain conductivity

Conductivity in a solution is due to the movement of charged particles. When salts dissolve in water, they dissociate into ions (cations and anions). These ions can move freely in the water, carrying an electric charge, which increases the conductivity of water.

Answer:

Water is good at dissolving salts because of the polar nature of water molecules which can hydrate the ions in salts, breaking the ionic bonds. Salts make water more conductive because when they dissolve, they dissociate into ions that can move freely and carry an electric charge in the water.