Answer is: the attraction between the solute and solvent is about as strong as the attraction between the solvent particles.
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.
Solvent (usually a liquid, but can also be a solid or a gas) is a substance that dissolves a solute.
