Question

Which statement best explains why water is known as a universal solvent?

The attractive force between polar water molecules and nearby nonpolar molecules is strong.
The attractive force between polar water molecules and other nearby water molecules is strong.
The attractive force between polar water molecules and nearby nonpolar molecules is weak.
The attractive force between polar water molecules and other nearby water molecules is weak.

Answer 1

The attractive force between polar water molecules and other nearby water molecules is strong.
The attractive force between polar water molecules and nearby nonpolar molecules is weak.

These two are correct!

Answer 2

Option A, The attractive force between polar water molecules and nearby non-polar molecules is strong.

Step-by-step explanation:

Water is a polar molecule which is attracted towards other non polar molecules because of its physical arrangements where hydrogen on one end has positive charge and oxygen on other end has negative charge. The polar water molecule gets heavily attracted towards a non polar substance that disrupts the inter molecular forces of that substance and causes its disintegration and thereby leads to dissolution of that substance in water. In this way water is able of dissolve different substances in it and hence it is known as a universal solvent.

Hence, option A is correct.