What is ionic solution?

1 Answer
May 21, 2017

It is a solution containing ions

Explanation:

Ions are atoms that have gained or lost electrons to acquire a positive (lost electron) or negative (gained electron) charge.
Often, ions exist as part of an ionic compound - this means that two ions are bound together because of their opposite charges attracting each other.

In solution (when the ionic compound is dissolved in a liquid solvent - e.g. water), these compounds split up to release the ions and the ions are free to move around as in a liquid.

An example is when you dissolve salt (NaCl / Sodium Chloride - an ionic compound) in water. The NaCl splits up into #Na^+# and #Cl^-# ions. The salt is not liquid, but it the ions can still move. We call this being in aqueous solution, shown by the state symbol aq.

The fact that the ions can move is actually quite useful as it means the ionic solution can conduct electricity. This is because the ions can carry charge and move about, and electricity is the flow of charge.

Hope this helps; let me know if I can do anything else:)