Question

why is water considered the universal solvent?(1 point) responses water dissolves more substances than any other solvent. water dissolves more substances than any other solvent. water molecules are held together by covalent bonds. water molecules are held together by covalent bonds. water molecules are weakly bonded to other water molecules. water molecules are weakly bonded to other water molecules. water is a polar compound because its ends have opposite charges.

Answer 1

Water is considered the universal solvent because its molecules are polar, allowing it to dissolve many substances through the formation of hydrogen bonds and hydration shells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Water is often referred to as the universal solvent because of its unique ability to dissolve many different substances. This characteristic is largely due to the polarity of water molecules, which have regions of positive and negative charge. The polar nature of water allows it to form hydrogen bonds with other polar substances and ionic compounds, creating what's known as a sphere of hydration or hydration shell. This helps to keep the dissolved particles separated and dispersed in the water, making water a powerful solvent in a variety of chemical and biological processes.

Water’s solvent properties are vital for life because they permit the dissolution of nutrients in our bodies, facilitating their transport and biochemical reactions. Moreover, due to the hydrogen bonds that water molecules form with each other, water can maintain a liquid state over a wide temperature range, which is essential for the majority of living organisms.