Free interactive chemistry · SIM-SOL-001
Dissolution of an ionic solid
A salt crystal dissolves: water molecules surround the ions and pull them out of the lattice.
Open the interactive simulation →How to use this simulation
- Choose the solvent: water (polar) or hexane (non-polar).
- Press play and watch ions leave the crystal.
- Change the temperature and compare how fast it dissolves.
- Read the energy balance in the “Why” panel.
What to notice
- Corner and edge ions leave first — they have fewer neighbours holding them.
- Hexane cannot attract ions: “like dissolves like”.
Try this
Which end of a water molecule faces Na⁺, and which faces Cl⁻?
Try it for free →