Here's why:

* Polarity: Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a positive and negative end due to the uneven sharing of electrons. Table salt, on the other hand, is an ionic compound, meaning it's made of positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged chloride ions (Cl-).

* Attraction: The positive end of water molecules is attracted to the negatively charged chloride ions, and the negative end of water molecules is attracted to the positively charged sodium ions. This attraction overcomes the forces holding the sodium and chloride ions together in the salt crystal, causing them to separate and dissolve in the water.

This process of dissolving is called dissociation, where the salt ions become surrounded by water molecules and disperse throughout the solution.