crystals, solubilities and precipitation

What are ionic compounds made up of?

Positive and negative ions. The positive attatcts the negative which holds the ions together

What if a crystal is an ionic compound?

It has alternating positive and negative ions and the attraction holds the crystal together

Why do ionic compounds dissolve?

Positive and negative ions separate from each other and move in between water molecules. Ions are small so the particles are no longer visible.

Why do some compounds not dissolve?

The attraction between the ions is too strong for water to overcome and separate them.

Hydrated

Water is tightly bound within the crystalline structure of a salt (ionic compound)

Anhydrous

A hydrated compound will lose all of its water of crystallisation when it is heated.

Water of crystallisation

The water molecules chemically bond within a crystalline structure