Ionization vs Dissociation: similarities and Differences
Ionization is the process of creating ions where there were none before. Weak Brønsted-Lowry acids, such as HCl, CH3COOH and HCN are covalent compounds, which mean their atoms are sharing electrons and there are no ions. When they react with water, however, the hydrogen atom is (For some percentage of the molecules, anyways) transferred or “donated” to the water molecule. This creates two ions: Hydronium (H3O+) and the conjugate base (Cl-, CH3COO- or CN- according to the examples above). This creation of ions is card Ionization.
When an ionic compound dissolves in water, the ions are simply being separated from one another. Table salt, sodium chloride, is already made of Na+ ions and Cl- ions in a crystal lattice. Dissolving salt in water frees these ions from each other, but they were already ions - none were created. This separation of already-existent ions is called Dissociation.
When an ionic compound dissolves in water, the ions are simply being separated from one another. Table salt, sodium chloride, is already made of Na+ ions and Cl- ions in a crystal lattice. Dissolving salt in water frees these ions from each other, but they were already ions - none were created. This separation of already-existent ions is called Dissociation.