Ionic bonds are considered to be strong chemical bonds. Yet, ions dissociate in water. Explain this apparent contradiction.

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Molecules such as sodium chloride are bonded by ionic bonds. So much energy would be required to separate a molecule of NaCl into Na+ and Cl- that it is practically impossible. That is, if the sodium chloride is dry. Because water molecules have partial charges resulting from their polar covalent bonds, sodium chloride dissociates in water. This means that the ions separate and function relatively independently. An attraction between sodium and chloride still exists, however, and the dissociation can be described as an increase in bond length rather than a loss
of the bond. Evaporate the water, though, and the sodium chloride crystals re-form.

Anatomy & Physiology

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