Why do polar covalent compounds dissolve in water?

Question: Explain how polar covalent compounds dissolve in water, highlighting the main types of intermolecular forces involved and their role in the dissolution process. Answer: Polar covalent compounds dissolve in water due to the interaction between their dipole moments and the dipole moments of water molecules. This interaction results in the formation of hydrogen bonds, a strong intermolecular force that occurs between molecules containing hydrogen directly bonded to nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine atoms. During the dissolution process, hydrogen bonds formed between the polar covalent compound and water molecules pull the molecules into the solution and surround them in a process called solvation. These attractive forces overcome the intermolecular forces within both the compound and water molecules, leading to the dissolution of the polar covalent compound in water.