Need clarification on solubility interaction

[mathwizzz]

Can someone please help me clarify these points:
- Is this statement true? Cation tend to be smaller than anions because when an electron is removed from a neutral atom, the nucleus (+) would be held more tightly (contracts) . Anions tend to be bigger (add electron), and thus you have a extra negative charge on the outside, the extra electron want to be repelled by the other electrons thus charge of anion gets bigger. [Sorry bad grammar]
- Why can cations solvate more readily than anions
- When water dissolute NaCl, does that mean that the polar water molecules effectively isolates the sodium and chlorine ion thus becoming a solution?
- Is it true as sodium chloride dissolves, four water molecules attach to the sodium ion? then how many bond with chlorine

Thanks ALOT to the people who helped me!

 

[jbsteele]

1.Yes, this statement is true. Cations tend to be smaller than anions because when an electron is removed from a neutral atom, the nucleus (+) is held more tightly (contracts). Anions tend to be bigger (add electron), and thus there is an extra negative charge on the outside. The extra electron wants to be repelled by the other electrons, thus the charge of the anion gets bigger.2.Cations can solvate more readily than anions because of their positive charge. Polar water molecules are attracted to the cations and form a stabilizing shell of water molecules around them. 3.When water dissolves NaCl, the polar water molecules effectively isolate the sodium and chlorine ions, creating a solution. 4.Yes, it is true that four water molecules attach to the sodium ion when sodium chloride dissolves. Chlorine is also surrounded by six water molecules.