Pick an appropriate solvent from Table 13.3 to dissolve each substance. State the kind of intermolecular forces that would occur between the solute and solvent in each case. b. sodium chloride (ionic)

Key Concepts

Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular forces are the attractive forces between molecules that influence physical properties such as boiling and melting points. These forces include hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces. Understanding these forces is crucial for predicting how substances will interact with each other, particularly in solutions.

Solubility Principles

Solubility principles dictate that 'like dissolves like,' meaning polar solvents are effective at dissolving polar solutes, while nonpolar solvents dissolve nonpolar solutes. This concept is essential for selecting an appropriate solvent for a given solute, as the nature of the solute's intermolecular forces will determine its compatibility with the solvent.

Ionic Compounds in Solution

Ionic compounds, such as sodium chloride, dissociate into their constituent ions when dissolved in polar solvents like water. The strong electrostatic forces between the ions and the polar water molecules lead to the formation of ion-dipole interactions, which are critical for the solvation process. This understanding helps in predicting the behavior of ionic substances in various solvents.