Why is water considered the universal solvent?(1 point)
Responses
a. Water molecules are weakly bonded to other water molecules.
b. Water dissolves more substances than any other solvent.
c. Water molecules are held together by covalent bonds
d. Water is a polar compound because its ends have opposite charges.
b. Water dissolves more substances than any other solvent.
b. Water dissolves more substances than any other solvent.
The correct answer is (b) Water dissolves more substances than any other solvent.
Water is considered the universal solvent because it has the ability to dissolve a wide variety of substances. This is due to its unique molecular structure and properties.
To understand why water is a universal solvent, we need to consider its polarity. Water molecules are made up of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. Due to the shape of the molecule, oxygen attracts the shared electrons more strongly than hydrogen, resulting in a slightly negative charge (δ-) on the oxygen atom and a slightly positive charge (δ+) on the hydrogen atoms.
This polarity of water molecules allows them to interact with other molecules that have charged or polar components. When water comes into contact with a solute (the substance being dissolved), the positive hydrogen atoms of water are attracted to the negative ions of the solute, and the negative oxygen atoms are attracted to the positive ions. This results in the solute breaking up and dispersing into the water, causing it to dissolve.
The polarity of water also allows it to form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules. These hydrogen bonds give water its cohesive properties and enable water molecules to stick together. However, these hydrogen bonds are relatively weaker compared to covalent bonds.
While options (a), (c), and (d) are true statements about water, they are not the primary reasons why water is considered the universal solvent. It is the ability of water to dissolve a wide range of substances, including polar and ionic compounds, that earns it this title.