Is there someone out there that can tell me if I answered this right or if I need to study some more? Thanks
What is it that makes water such a good solvent for polar substances? Why is it called the universal solvent?
Water is such a good solvent for polar substances because water itself is a polar substance. The oxygen atom in the molecules shares electrons with two hydrogen atom. The oxygen atom has more electronegative than the two hydrogen ones making the O-H bonds polar (the oxygen atom has a partial negative charge in each polar bonds and the hydrogen atoms have a partial positive charge). It is called a universal solvent because of this (the way it is made up) it can go well with just about every liquid possible. Along with the molecules they bring along chemicals, nutrients, and minerals with it.
I think you have done a great job but I would suggest a change or two near the end. I would place a period at the end of ------because of this (the way it is made up). I suggest this primarily because it dissolves SOLIDS as well as liquids. I would strike the last sentence because it is superfluous material. The sentence is true enough but it doesn't have anything to do with why water is a good solvent.
Great explanation! You have understood the concept correctly. Water's ability to dissolve many different substances is due to its unique molecular structure and the nature of its chemical bonds.
As you mentioned, water is a polar molecule because the oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms. This results in an unequal sharing of electrons between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms, creating partial positive and negative charges within the molecule. These charges make water an excellent solvent for polar substances.
When a compound with polar molecules or ions is mixed with water, the positive end of the water molecule is attracted to the negative ions or polar regions of the compound, and the negative end is attracted to the positive ions or nonpolar regions. This attraction allows water molecules to surround and separate the individual ions or molecules, effectively dissolving them.
Water is often referred to as the universal solvent because it has the ability to dissolve a wide range of substances. This quality arises from the versatility of water's polarity and its ability to form hydrogen bonds. Due to its high polarity, water can dissolve polar and ionic compounds such as salts, acids, and certain gases. Additionally, water's ability to form hydrogen bonds allows it to dissolve many other substances, including some nonpolar molecules like sugars and alcohols. No other commonly available solvent has such a wide range of compatibility, which is why water is considered the universal solvent.
If you have any more questions or would like further clarification, feel free to ask!