In the picture below, the green spheres represent particles of solute that have been added to water. Bonds between the solute particles are indicated by orange lines. When this substance dissolves in water, what happens to the bonds between these particles?

As they absorb energy, they are broken.

Explanation

Solutes dissolve when they interact with water. This is because, the attraction of solute particles with each other weakens and become replaced by solute-solvent interaction. As the water surrounds the solute, the solute is now said to be hydrated.

Energy is required to break solute-solute bonds. This energy absorbed in breaking solute-solute bonds is compensated for by the energy liberated when solute particles are hydrated.

If energy required to break solute-solute interaction is less than the energy liberated when solute particles are hydrated, the substance will dissolve in water.

Hence, as a substance dissolve in water, energy is absorbed when solute-solute interactions are broken.