The mixture is a uniform distribution of H 2 O molecules and CH 3 CH 2 OH molecules. The solution is not acidic. Tell whether the solution is acidic or basic. The solid sodium hydroxide dissolves in water. They have a positive pole or end associated with the hydrogens and a negative end or pole associated with the oxygen end .
Many water molecules have their positive end attracted to an hydroxide ion.
This attraction is so great that the water molcules are able to pull the hydroxide ion out of the solid. This kind of process is repeated bewteen diferent water molecules and the sodium ion. A different group of water molecules pull a sodium ion out of the crystal. The process is repeated billions and billions of times until either the solid has completely dissolved or there are no more unassociated water molecules. In general terms people say sodium hydroxide dissolves to release sodium ions and hydroxide ions.