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QUESTION

# What distinguishes ionization, dissociation, and dissolution?

Here are the definitions I use.

Ionization is the conversion of a neutral molecule or atom to an ion.

Thus, the conversion of an "Na" atom to "Na"^+ is an ionization.

When "HCl" gas dissolves in water, it reacts to form separate "H"_3"O"^+ and "Cl"^"-" ions.

"HCl(g)" + "H"_2"O(l)" → "H"_3"O"^+"(aq)" + "Cl"^"-""(aq)"

This is also a dissociation process.

Dissociation is a process in which a compound separates into two or more parts.

For example, water dissociates into hydronium and hydroxide ions.

When "NaCl" dissolves in water, it forms separate "Na"^+ and "Cl"^"-" ions. This is a dissociation process.

"NaCl(s)" → "Na"^"+""(aq)" + "Cl"^"-""(aq)"

Here's a great video that shows how water dissolves salt.

"N"_2"O"_4 decomposes into two "NO"_2 molecules. This is a dissociation process.

"O"_2"N-NO"_2 → "2NO"_2

Dissolution is the process in which the particles of a substance move into the solvent.

The process may not involve dissociation, as in the dissolving of sugar …

(from antoine.frostburg.edu)

… or it may, as in the case of sodium chloride.

Sugar does not dissociate in water, but "NaCl" does dissociate into ions when it dissolves.