Whay is the first step in the dissolving process

The first step in dissolving process is that the solvent molecules, which are in constant motion, surround the molecules of solute. A brief explanation is that that is how polar solvents dissolve polar solutes and non-polar solvents dissolve non polar solutes: the positive ending of the polar solvent molecules will be able to approach the negative ions of the solute, and the negative ending of the polar solvent molecules will be able to approach the positive ions of the solute. This way is that the attraction force that exists between opposite charges drive the dissolving process in polar solvents.

How do we find the answer?