Question

Molecules cannot react chemically unless they are: _________

a) polar
b)solvents
c)active
d)in solution

Answer 1

Molecules must be in solution to react chemically, with water often serving as the universal solvent due to its ability to dissolve many substances, aiding the necessary contact between reactant molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

Molecules cannot react chemically unless they are in solution. This state is essential for the chemical reactions to occur because it provides the medium for the molecules to come into contact with one another. Water is often the solvent in biological systems because of its polarity, which allows it to dissolve a variety of solutes, making it the universal solvent. For a reaction to occur, the reacting species must collide in the correct orientation that allows contact between atoms that will bond together in the new product. This is facilitated by the solution environment where the molecules are free to move and mix.