Polar solids dissolve readily in polar liquids. If one takes a non polar liquid such as gasoline it does not dissolve NaCl. But sugar will dissolve readily in gasoline. Water as a Solvent for Ionic Solids Water is an excellent solvent for ionic solids. Ionic solids such as NaCl dissolve readily in water.
Water molecule has a positive and a negative side.
The negative and positive ions are surrounded by water molecules.