which of the following properties of water explains its characterization as the universal solvent.

a)kinetic energy of liquid water molecules
b)high specific heat
c)polarity of water molecules
d)high surface tension

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The property of water that explains its characterization as the universal solvent is c) polarity of water molecules.

To understand why, let's break it down:

Water molecules are made up of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. This arrangement leads to an uneven distribution of charge, with the oxygen atom being slightly negatively charged and the hydrogen atoms being slightly positively charged. As a result, water molecules are considered polar, meaning they have a positive and a negative end.

This polarity allows water molecules to easily interact with other charged or polar substances. When a substance dissolves in water, the positive ends of the water molecules attract the negative ions or polar regions of the substance, and the negative ends of the water molecules attract the positive ions or nonpolar regions of the substance. This attraction breaks apart the substance's molecular bonds and surrounds the individual molecules or ions, effectively dispersing them throughout the water.

This ability to dissolve a wide variety of solutes is why water is considered the universal solvent. It can dissolve ionic compounds (such as salts) and polar molecules (such as sugar) by separating their components and surrounding them with water molecules.

Therefore, the correct answer is c) polarity of water molecules.