A chemical weathering process in which polar water molecules surround individual ions

Hi!

The chemical weathering process in which polar water molecules surround individual ions is called Solvation.

When ions are dissolved, they get surrounded by solvent molecules (In this case, water molecules) to stabilize the ion with the opposing charge. To achieve solvation, it is necessary for the energy of the solvated ion to be lower than the energy of the crystalline lattice of the solid. As systems tend to the lowest energy, the formation of the solvated ion is favored. This is called the solvation enthalpy.

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