Water is a Solvent
A solution contains dissolved substances in water. The dissolved substances are called solutes. The water is called a solvent. Due to its polarity, water dissolves a great number of substances. The water "dissolves" compounds by surrounding the ions or polar molecules. The opposite poles of the water will be attracted to the corresponding charge of the solute. Molecules that dissolve in water are said to be hydrophilic (hydro means water and philic means loving). Molecules that do not dissolve or repel water are hydrophobic (phobic meaning fearing).
In the photos below, you can see how salt, when added to water is dissolved. Each atom of the salt is pulled away from the compound and surrounded by water molecules. The positive poles of the water surround the negative Cl- atoms and the negative pole of the water surround the + sodium atoms.
In the photos below, you can see how salt, when added to water is dissolved. Each atom of the salt is pulled away from the compound and surrounded by water molecules. The positive poles of the water surround the negative Cl- atoms and the negative pole of the water surround the + sodium atoms.