What is the process called when water forms a protective cage around ions to pull them away from a crystal lattice?

Answer

Solvation or hydration

When solute ions are surrounded by solvent molecules, the process is termed solvation; specifically, when water is the solvent, it is called hydration.

What is the process called when water forms a protective cage around ions to pull them away from a crystal lattice?

#Videos

How Does Polarity Affect Solvent Choice In Chemistry? - YouTube

interactionmoleculepolaritysolvationdissolution