What happens to the NH4+ and Cl�] ions when they enter the water
What happens to the NH4+ and Cl�] ions when they enter the water? Does this process release or require energy?
If you are talking about adding NH4Cl solid to water, it dissociates into NH4^+ and Cl^-. I believe that process is endothermic (it requires energy to break the crystal structure). Some of that energy can come from the formation of the hydrated ions but there is a net loss and that comes from the solvent in the form of lowering the temperature.
When NH4+ and Cl- ions are added to water, they dissociate or break apart due to the polar nature of water molecules.
To understand what happens to the NH4+ and Cl- ions when they enter water, we need to consider the concept of ionization or dissociation.
Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a slightly positive charge (δ+) on its hydrogen atoms and a slightly negative charge (δ-) on its oxygen atom. When NH4+ is added to water, the slightly negative oxygen atoms in water molecules attract and surround the NH4+ ion, causing it to dissolve. This process is called hydration. The NH4+ ion forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, resulting in the formation of hydronium ions (H3O+).
The dissociation of NH4+ in water can be represented by the equation:
NH4+ + H2O → H3O+ + NH3
On the other hand, Cl- ions are negatively charged and attracted to the slightly positive hydrogen atoms of water molecules. When Cl- ions are added to water, they do not undergo any chemical changes but rather become surrounded by water molecules. This process is called solvation.
The solvation of Cl- in water can be represented by the equation:
Cl- + H2O → Cl-(aq)
So, when NH4+ and Cl- ions enter water, they undergo hydration and solvation, respectively. The NH4+ ions form hydronium ions, and the Cl- ions become solvated by water molecules.