describe the opposing forces of attraction that are at work in the dissolution of calcium chloride. which are greater?
In the dissolution of calcium chloride, there are two opposing forces of attraction at work: ion-ion attractions and solvation forces.
1. Ion-ion attractions: Calcium chloride (CaCl2) is an ionic compound consisting of calcium ions (Ca2+) and chloride ions (Cl-). These ions are held together by strong electrostatic attractions due to the opposite charges (+ and -). When calcium chloride dissolves in water, the ion-ion attractions need to be overcome. The water molecules surround and separate the calcium and chloride ions, breaking their bond with each other.
2. Solvation forces: Water is a highly polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge at one end (hydrogen) and a partial negative charge at the other end (oxygen). When calcium chloride dissolves in water, the polar water molecules surround the ions and stabilize them by forming hydration shells. The partial positive charges of the water molecules are attracted to the chloride ions, while the partial negative charges are attracted to the calcium ions. These solvation forces help to separate the ions and ensure the dissolution of calcium chloride.
Comparing the two forces, solvation forces are generally greater than the ion-ion attractions when dissolving calcium chloride. The strong positive and negative charges on the calcium and chloride ions are counteracted by the polar water molecules' attractions, causing the ions to disperse and dissolve in the water.
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