Question #3fc56

1 Answer
Mar 16, 2015

Ionization is a special case of dissociation.

Explanation:

Dissociation is a process in which compounds separate or split into smaller particles.

We might write the general equation as

#"A-B" → "A + B"#

For example,

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

In this case, the solid #"NaCl"# consists of #"Na"^+# and #"Cl"^"-"# ions.

All they are doing when #"NaCl"# dissolves is separating from each other.

When the substance already contains ions, the process is often called dissociation.

Many covalent compounds also dissociate in water to form ions.

For example,

#"HF(aq)" ⇌ "H"^+"(aq)" + "F"^"-""(aq)"#

When covalent compounds dissolve in water to produce ions, the dissociation process is often called ionization.

Here's a great video on ionization and dissociation.