Biggest Mistakes in Chemistry: Dissolving

When sugar dissolves in water, what is the primary change that occurs?

• The sugar molecules break apart into individual atoms.

• The sugar molecules remain intact but separate from each other.

• The water molecules break apart into hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

• The sugar molecules form new chemical bonds with the water molecules, creating a new compound.

When table salt (NaCl) dissolves in water, what happens to its chemical structure?

• The sodium and chlorine atoms remain bonded together as molecules.

• The sodium and chlorine ions separate and disperse throughout the water.

• The salt forms a new covalent compound with the water.

• The salt molecules clump together to form larger structures.

What type of chemical compound is sugar (C2H4O2)?

• Ionic compound

• Metallic compound

• Covalent compound

• Network solid

What is the fundamental difference in how ionic and covalent compounds behave when dissolving in water?

• Ionic compounds form new chemical bonds with water, while covalent compounds do not.

• Ionic compounds remain as intact units, while covalent compounds break into individual atoms.

• Ionic compounds dissociate into individual ions, while covalent compounds separate into intact molecules.

• Ionic compounds are generally insoluble, while covalent compounds are always soluble.