Step 1: Hydration
* Water molecules surround the sugar molecules. Water molecules are polar, meaning they have a slightly positive end (hydrogen) and a slightly negative end (oxygen). Sugar molecules are also polar, with their hydroxyl groups (OH) creating a similar positive and negative charge distribution.
* The positive ends of water molecules attract the negative ends of the sugar molecules, and vice versa. This attraction, called a "hydrogen bond," forms between the water molecules and the sugar molecules.
Step 2: Disruption of Sugar Crystal Structure
* The strong hydration forces overcome the weak forces holding the sugar molecules together in the crystal lattice. This breaks apart the sugar crystal into individual sugar molecules.
Step 3: Dispersion
* The sugar molecules become surrounded by water molecules and are dispersed throughout the solution. They no longer form a solid structure, but rather exist as individual molecules surrounded by water.
Step 4: Equilibrium
* The process of dissolving continues until a point of equilibrium is reached. This means that the rate at which sugar molecules dissolve is equal to the rate at which they re-crystallize. The solution is now saturated, meaning it can't hold any more dissolved sugar.
Key Points to Remember:
* Dissolving doesn't mean the sugar molecules disappear. They simply change from a solid crystalline structure to individual molecules surrounded by water.
* Sugar dissolves because of the attraction between water molecules and sugar molecules. This is due to their polar nature and the formation of hydrogen bonds.
* The process is reversible. If the water evaporates, the sugar molecules will re-crystallize.
