In a particle-level representation of aqueous KBr, how should the surrounding water molecules be oriented around each dissolved ion?

Core Concept

Water is bent and highly polar: the oxygen atom carries the partial negative charge while each hydrogen carries a partial positive charge. Ion-dipole attraction therefore orients nearby water molecules so unlike charges confront each other. Around the bromide anion the partially positive hydrogen atoms turn inward; around the potassium cation the partially negative oxygen ends turn inward. Diagrams drawing reversed or random orientations misrepresent the hydrated shell.