The dissolution of sodium chloride involves three steps. During the process energy changes occur in:
1. breaking apart the hydrogen bonds between water molecules,
2. breaking apart the electrostatic bonds between sodium and chloride ions, and
3. when bonds are formed between water molecules and aqueous ions in solution.
Since the energy used to break apart the hydrogen bonds between water molecules and the energy used to break apart the electrostatic bonds between sodium and chloride ions, is greater than the energy released when bonds are formed between water molecules and aqueous ions in solution, the dissolution of sodium chloride is endothermic.
Explanation:
The heat of solution or enthalpy of solution/dissolution, is the enthalpy change that occurs with the dissolution of a solute in a solvent at constant pressure, resulting in infinite dilution. Its unit is kJ/mol for reactions taking place under standard conditions (298.15 K and 1 atm).
The process of dissolution occurs in three energy-dependent steps: Â
1. The breaking of bonds within the solute. For example, electrostatic forces of attraction between two oppositely-charged ions. This process is endothermic.
2. The endothermic process of breaking of intermolecular forces within the solvent, e.g. hydrogen bonds in water.
3. The exothermic process of the formation of new solute-solvent bonds in solution.
The sum of the energies involved in these three steps gives the enthalpy of dissolution of a solute. The overall process of dissolution can either endothermic or exothermic depending on the amount of energy used or released in breaking and making bonds. If more energy is released in making than is used in breaking bonds, it is exothermic. Â However, if more energy is used in breaking bonds than is released in making bonds, dissolution is then endothermic.
For example, considering the dissolution of sodium chloride. During the process the energy used to break apart the hydrogen bonds between water molecules and the energy used to break apart the electrostatic bonds between sodium and chloride ions, is greater than the energy released when bonds are formed between water molecules and aqueous ions in solution. Therefore, the dissolution of sodium chloride is endothermic.
