I understand that the polar nature of water molecules pulls apart the ions of the salt. I don’t understand how when the salt is dissolved it’s properties remain. wouldn’t the breakdown of the salt molecules into its separate ions make it a different substance and not salt anymore?
thank you!!
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Because most of the salty qualities of salt refer to the dissolved form. Once solid salt enters our mouth, it gets dissolved by the liquid in our mouth and food/drink. That’s how we taste the salt. Inside the body, salt ions also maintain ionic concentrations when dissolved since our bodies are mostly water.
Salt as a solid has different properties than when it’s dissolved. For example, solid salt is an insulator while dissolved salt can conduct electricity. Solid salt is an abrasive and can cause wounds. Dissolved salt in saline wash can wash out wounds.
the sensation of saltiness comes from the ions themselves. taste buds, like any other receptor depend on a liquid layer to allow for interface with molecules. you can sense saltiness not only from nacl, but from other salts. It’s the ions shape and charge which dictates the sensation.
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