The property of a substance being hygroscopic that allows it to attract enough water molecules to dissolve is known as __________.

The term that describes the property of a substance being hygroscopic and attracting enough water molecules to dissolve is deliquescence. Deliquescent substances absorb moisture from the atmosphere to the point where they can dissolve in the absorbed water, forming a liquid solution. This process occurs when the vapor pressure of the substance is greater than the humidity in the air, leading to significant absorption and ultimately a transition from solid to liquid state.

Understanding this is crucial in chemistry, particularly in relation to how certain materials are used in various applications, such as desiccants or chemical reactions where moisture control is important. This characteristic distinguishes deliquescent substances from other related terms.

Hygroscopy refers to the general ability of a substance to attract and hold water molecules from the surrounding environment, while absorption involves the uptake of molecules into a bulk phase (such as a solid absorbing gases) without a phase change. Adsorption, on the other hand, is the adhesion of molecules onto the surface of a solid, rather than its dissolution. Deliquescence is a specific form of hygroscopy that results in the formation of a solution, emphasizing the unique nature of the interaction between these substances and water.