Question

What structures are formed when water molecules surrounds individual ions?

Answer 1

These are in effect coordination complexes....

Explanation:

Water is an exceptionally good solvent for aquating ions...

And so when an ionic salt reacts in solution to give such ions we write….

`MX(s) rarr underbrace(M^+ + X^-)_"i.e. the aquated ions"`

And so when we write `NaCl(aq)`, we probably mean or assume `[Na(OH_2)_6]^+`..a sodium ion solvated by several water molecules...and the chloride ion probably interacts with the other end of the water dipole....