Which of the following properties of water explains its characterization as the universal solvent?
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
I said B am i correct
I believe it is C
water can act as either a polar or nonpolar solvent.
No, B is not the correct answer. The correct answer is C. The polarity of water molecules explains its characterization as the universal solvent.
To arrive at this answer, let's first understand what it means for water to be a universal solvent. A universal solvent is a substance that has the ability to dissolve a wide variety of substances. It can dissolve many different types of solutes, including both polar and nonpolar compounds.
Water is considered a universal solvent because of its unique molecular structure and polarity. Each water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, forming a bent or V-shaped structure. The oxygen atom has a stronger pull on the shared electrons, resulting in a slightly negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms have a slightly positive charge.
This polarity of water molecules gives them the ability to form hydrogen bonds with other polar molecules or ions. Water molecules can attract and surround other charged or polar substances, causing them to separate and dissolve. This makes water an excellent solvent for ionic compounds, such as salts, as well as many polar molecules, including sugars, acids, and some gases.
In contrast, option B (high specific heat) refers to the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a given amount of substance. While high specific heat is indeed a property of water, it does not directly explain its characterization as a universal solvent.
Therefore, the correct answer is C. The polarity of water molecules explains its characterization as the universal solvent.