Hydration shell

A hydration shell is a layer of water molecules that surrounds and interacts with a dissolved substance, such as an ion or molecule, in a solution. These water molecules are attracted to the substance due to electrical charges, forming a structured environment around it. This shell helps stabilize the substance in the solution, influences how it moves, and affects how it interacts with other particles. Essentially, the hydration shell acts like a protective cloud of water that makes the dissolved particles more stable and easier to handle within the liquid.