What is dissociation chemistry?

Dissociation in chemistry refers to the process in which a compound breaks down into its constituent ions when placed in a solution. This is commonly seen in electrolytes, which are compounds that can conduct electricity when dissolved in water.

In dissociation, the bonds holding the atoms together in the compound are broken, resulting in the formation of positively and negatively charged ions. For example, when table salt (sodium chloride) is dissolved in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-).

The degree of dissociation of a compound can be quantified by its dissociation constant (Kd), which is defined as the ratio of the concentration of the dissociated ions to the concentration of the undissociated compound.

Dissociation is an important process in various chemical reactions and plays a key role in the behavior of electrolytes in solutions. Understanding dissociation chemistry is crucial for studying various phenomena such as acid-base reactions, solubility, and conductivity of solutions.