Explain the term ''Hydration of Ions''

Explanation

When ionic solid is dissolved in polar solvent like water, the cations & anions of ionic solid is attracted by oxygen and hydrogen of water respectively. As a result cach ions surrounded by many number of water moleclule to form hydrated. This exothermic process is called Hydration.
Degree of hydration depends upon the charge density of an ion.
Degree of hydration decreases as size of ion increases
Example: `Li^(+)gtNa^(+)gtK^(+)`
Ionic solid dissolves in water easily, if lattice energy is less than hydration energy.