Dissociation and solvation are terms that describe how substances break down or split into small pieces or atoms/ions depending on the interactions. There are a few significant differences between these two processes. 

Dissociation: 

• Dissociation refers to the breakdown of a compound into smaller particles. The smaller particles may be atoms or ions which make up the compound.
• It involves the breakdown of a large substance into smaller pieces.
• External factors such as intermolecular interactions, heat, and dissolution cause the molecules, atoms, or ions of a substance to separate from each other
• Example: Chemical bonds of maltose are broken down by maltase enzymes resulting in glucose units, which make up maltose  

Solvation: 

• Solvation refers to the dissolution of a substance in a particular solvent due to the attraction forces between the components of the substance and the solvent molecules.
• It involves the dissolution of a substance in a solvent.
• Attraction forces between molecules or ions of a substance cause the molecules or ions of a substance to separate from each other. 
• Example: Sodium chloride ionic compound breaks down when it is dissolved in water.