Crystals of table salt dissolve readily in water. Which interaction separates and stabilizes the ions?

Core Concept

Water is polar: oxygen carries a partial negative charge and each hydrogen a partial positive charge. At a salt crystal, oxygen ends orient toward sodium cations while hydrogen ends orient toward chloride anions. These ion-dipole interactions collectively outweigh the lattice attractions holding the crystal together, pulling ions into solution where hydration shells keep them separated. This solvent power lets dissolved ions move freely and participate in the electrochemical reactions of cytoplasm and blood.