Which actions are part of the dissolution process of an iconic solute in water?

Answer is: The ions in the solute separate from each other.

For example, dissociation of potassium iodide in water:  

KI(aq) → K⁺(aq) + I⁻(aq).

Solvation is the interaction of solvent (water) with molecules or ions (in this example K⁺ and I⁻) in a solute.  

Anion I⁻ has negative charge, so positive end (hydrogen atoms) of a water molecul attracts them.

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