DISSOCIATION (noun)

 

The process by which a compound body (i.e. molecule) breaks up into simpler constituents. The act of breaking bonds apart, and resulting in the ionization of the compound body.

Example: the dissociation of ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) into hydrochloric acid (HCl) and ammonia (NH₃). In the case of acids, dissociation results in the formation of hydrogen ions. Strong acids dissociate completely. Weak acids are not completely ionized, and a solution of a weak acid has a relatively low concentration of hydrogen ions.