why is this statement false?
"when an ionic compound dissolves in water an equal number of positive and negative ions is created."
It is true than an equal number of positive and negative CHARGES are formed but that isn't the same as the number of positive and negative ions. For example,
NaCl ==> Na^+ + Cl^-.
1 mole NaCl dissociates, 1 mole Na^+ and 1 mole Cl^- are formed AND 1 mole of + and 1 mole of - negative charges are formed. BUT, when dissociates as in
MgCl2 --> Mg^2+ + 2Cl^-
then you see that we have 1 mole of 2+ charges and 2 moles of 1- charges so the charges are equal; however, we have 1 mole Mg^2+ and 2 moles Cl^-. Again, the charges are equal but the number of + and - ions are not the same.
so then how would you make the statement true?
Read my post again. I told you twice how to make it true.
oh sorrry.....i got it.
when an ionic compound dissolves in water an equal number of positive and negative charges are created.
The statement is false because, when an ionic compound dissolves in water, it dissociates into positive and negative ions, but not necessarily in equal numbers. Understanding the concept of ionic compounds and their behavior when dissolved in water will help in realizing why this statement is incorrect.
Ionic compounds are made up of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) held together by strong electrostatic forces. When an ionic compound such as sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolves in water, the water molecules surround the individual ions and separate them from one another through a process called hydration or solvation.
During the process of solvation, the water molecules form favorable interactions with the ions, where the positively charged end of the water molecule (oxygen atom) attracts and surrounds the negatively charged ion (anion), and vice versa for the positive ion (cation). This separation of ions leads to the formation of a solution in which the ionic compound has broken down into its constituent ions.
However, the number of positive and negative ions formed upon dissolving an ionic compound in water depends on the compound itself and its formula. For example, when sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolves in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-). Here, one sodium ion combines with one chloride ion, resulting in an equal number of positive and negative ions.
On the other hand, for compounds like calcium chloride (CaCl2), it dissociates into one calcium ion (Ca2+) and two chloride ions (Cl-). In this case, the number of chloride ions is twice the number of positive calcium ions. Therefore, the molar ratio of positive to negative ions varies depending on the specific ionic compound.
To conclude, an equal number of positive and negative ions is not always created when an ionic compound dissolves in water. The ratio of positive to negative ions depends on the compound being dissolved and its chemical formula.