Here's why:
* Dissolving Ammonium Chloride is Endothermic: The process of dissolving ammonium chloride in water is an endothermic reaction. This means it absorbs heat from the surroundings, causing the temperature of the water to decrease.
* Breaking and Forming Bonds: When ammonium chloride dissolves, the ionic bonds between the ammonium (NH₄⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻) ions are broken. This requires energy, which is absorbed from the water. At the same time, new bonds are formed between the ions and water molecules (hydration), but this process releases less energy than is absorbed in breaking the original bonds.
In Summary: The overall energy balance results in a net absorption of heat from the surroundings, leading to a decrease in the temperature of the water.