Which statement explains why water can attract ions?

Which statement explains why water can attract ions?

• A. Water is polar and can attract ions
• B. Water is nonpolar and repels ions
• C. Water forms covalent bonds with ions always
• D. Water molecules do not interact with ions

Answer: (A)

Water’s ability to attract ions comes from its polarity. The molecule has a partial negative charge on the oxygen and partial positive charges on the hydrogens, making it a dipole. When ions are present, water molecules orient themselves so that the oxygen’s negative side is near positively charged ions (cations) and the hydrogens’ positive sides are near negatively charged ions (anions). These ion-dipole interactions stabilize the ions in solution and allow salts to dissolve. The other statements don’t fit because a nonpolar molecule wouldn’t have charged regions to attract ions, covalent bonding with ions isn’t how hydration works, and water does interact with ions rather than ignoring them.

Water’s ability to attract ions comes from its polarity. The molecule has a partial negative charge on the oxygen and partial positive charges on the hydrogens, making it a dipole. When ions are present, water molecules orient themselves so that the oxygen’s negative side is near positively charged ions (cations) and the hydrogens’ positive sides are near negatively charged ions (anions). These ion-dipole interactions stabilize the ions in solution and allow salts to dissolve. The other statements don’t fit because a nonpolar molecule wouldn’t have charged regions to attract ions, covalent bonding with ions isn’t how hydration works, and water does interact with ions rather than ignoring them.