Here's why:

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

* Attraction: The positive ends of water molecules are attracted to the negative chloride ions, and the negative ends of water molecules are attracted to the positive sodium ions.

* Dissolving: These attractions cause the salt to break apart into individual ions, which become surrounded by water molecules. This process is called dissolving.