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Mazurka
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Chemistry: Manners of Dissolving Substances
"Dissolving a substance can be achieved through dissociation, ionization, or dispersion. Which manner of dissolving occurs to each of the following substances? Substances are: acetic acid, methanol and copper (II) sulfate."
Acetic Acid: CH3COOH, Methanol: CH3OH, Copper (II) sulfate: CuSO4
Acetic acid: Dissociation.
Methanol: Dispersion.
Copper (II) sulfate: Dissociation.
I am confused as to why some sources suggest that acetic acid would dissolve through ionization. Isn't acetic acid ionic? If not, how would I go about discerning when a substance is ionic or not, particularly when the compound contains one or more polyatomic ions?
Please take into account that I am only at a intermediate high school level of education. I will not be able to understand any explanation that requires me to have attended a grade twelve or university level of chemistry. I greatly appreciate any help that can be provided.
Thank you,
Eric.
Homework Statement
"Dissolving a substance can be achieved through dissociation, ionization, or dispersion. Which manner of dissolving occurs to each of the following substances? Substances are: acetic acid, methanol and copper (II) sulfate."
Homework Equations
Acetic Acid: CH3COOH, Methanol: CH3OH, Copper (II) sulfate: CuSO4
The Attempt at a Solution
Acetic acid: Dissociation.
Methanol: Dispersion.
Copper (II) sulfate: Dissociation.
I am confused as to why some sources suggest that acetic acid would dissolve through ionization. Isn't acetic acid ionic? If not, how would I go about discerning when a substance is ionic or not, particularly when the compound contains one or more polyatomic ions?
Please take into account that I am only at a intermediate high school level of education. I will not be able to understand any explanation that requires me to have attended a grade twelve or university level of chemistry. I greatly appreciate any help that can be provided.
Thank you,
Eric.
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