Question

On the atomic level, the dissolution of an ionic compound occurs when water interacts with the what in the crystal lattice?

Answer 1

ions

The last property above requires some additional explanation. We are all familiar with the process of dissolution on a large scale. If you stir a spoonful of salt into a glass of water, the salt crystals are broken down and seem to disappear into the water. On the atomic level, the dissolution of an ionic compound occurs when water interacts with the ions in the crystal lattice, causing the lattice to break apart   Figure below  :.