Activity Number 66

	Overview and Learning Objectives
	Central Concepts
	Textbook References
	Benchmarks and Standards
	Macro Micro Link
	Activity Credits
	Requirements

Formation of Water Shells around Ions

Interactive model, with minimal support

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Java 1.5+ - Java 1.5+ is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X 10.4 and greater. If you are using Mac OS X 10.3, you can download MW Version 1.3 and explore within it instead.

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	Overview and Learning Objectives User can vary charge and temperature. In solution, water molecules form a "shell" around ions. This model illustrates how ions that are solvated by water molecules move. Students will be able to: explore the role of charge in the behavior of water toward charged and non-charged atoms; observe the formation of water shells around charged ions; change the temperature and observe its effect on the formation of water shells around charged ions; observe how water shells around ions can keep them separated from each other. return to top



	Central Concepts Key Concept: Water is a great solvent, but all substances that water can dissolve must be either polar or ionic (either positivly or negatively charged). The polar water molecules attract other charged particles and push out non-charged particles. Water is attracted to itself, other polar molecules, ionic substances, and somewhat to non-polar substances. However, it attracts to itself much better than to the non-polar substances, so the water tends to exclude (and not dissolve) non-polar substances. Additional Related Concepts Molecular Biology Polar molecules Polar nature of water Physics/Chemistry Dissolving Hydrogen bonds Ion Ionic bonds Salt Solubility Solutions Water shells return to top



	Textbook References Biology (Miller and Levine) Prentice Hall 5th Edition - Unit 1: Chapter 4 - The Chemical Basis of Life BSCS Blue (8th Edition) - Chapter 3: Exchanging Materials with the Environment return to top



	Benchmarks and Standards AAAS COMMON THEMES: Models - Therefore computers can show the consequences of applying complex rules or of changing the rules (Full Text of Standard) THE PHYSICAL SETTING: FORCES OF NATURE - There are two kinds of charges-positive and negative. (Full Text of Standard) NSES Physical-Science: Matter Structure/Properties - 1 Atoms interact with one another by transferring or sharing electrons (Full Text of Standard) return to top



	Macro Micro Link One can easily observe how only some substances dissolve easily in other substances. This model helps to show what happens when ions are dissolved in a water solution. return to top



	Activity Credits Created by CC Project: Molecular Workbench using Molecular Workbench return to top



	Requirements Java 1.5+ - Java 1.5+ is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X 10.4 and greater. If you are using Mac OS X 10.3, you can download MW Version 1.3 and explore within it instead. return to top

These materials are based upon work supported by the
National Science Foundation under grant number DUE-0402553

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions
or recommendations expressed in this material are those of
the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views
of the National Science Foundation.

Formation of Water Shells around Ions

Overview and Learning Objectives

Central Concepts

Additional Related Concepts

Textbook References

Benchmarks and Standards

Macro Micro Link

Activity Credits

Requirements