Hydration Shell Theory

Hydration Shell Theory describes how water molecules surround and interact with dissolved ions or molecules in a solution. When a substance dissolves, water molecules form a structured layer—called a hydration shell—around each ion or particle. This shell stabilizes the solute, influences its movement, and affects properties like solubility and reactivity. The structure of these shells depends on the charge and size of the ions, with water molecules orienting themselves to best accommodate the electric charge. This concept helps explain many behaviors of solutions, including how substances dissolve and how ions move through biological and chemical systems.