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Chemistry · Glossary

What is Solvation, hydration?

Also known as: solvation · hydration

Definition 31.2 School Chemistry — Grades 1 to 12 · Chapter 31 — Dissolving Ionic and Molecular Solids

The solvation of a dissolved particle is its surrounding by solvent molecules, held to it by attractions; in water it is called hydration. The symbol (aq) after a formula means “hydrated”.

Sodium chloride dissolving. A sodium ion and a chloride ion have left the crystal; each is hydrated. Around the cation the water molecules turn their oxygen atoms (red, -) inwards, around the anion their hydrogen atoms (white, +).
Sodium chloride dissolving. A sodium ion and a chloride ion have left the crystal; each is hydrated. Around the cation the water molecules turn their oxygen atoms (red, δ−\delta^-) inwards, around the anion their hydrogen atoms (white, δ+\delta^+).
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