Final answer:
Among the statements about water, the one that is NOT true is that water is a nonpolar solvent; in fact, water is a polar solvent, which explains its ability to form hydrogen bonds and act as an effective solvent for ionic and other polar substances.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked which statement is NOT true about water. The incorrect statement among the ones provided is: 3) Water is a nonpolar solvent. In reality, water is a polar solvent and this polarity is a critical feature that explains many of its solvent properties. Hydrogen bonds form between the water molecules due to the opposite charges on the hydrogen and oxygen atoms within a single water molecule, and this affects the cohesiveness (cohesion) of water.
Pure water is considered a non-electrolyte because it does not contain free ions and so conducts electricity very poorly. Water's polar nature makes it attract other polar substances and ions, which are described as hydrophilic, while repelling nonpolar substances that are hydrophobic, such as oils and fats, demonstrating water's unique chemical properties.