Final answer:
Water's polarity and ability to form hydrogen bonds enable it to act as an effective solvent, dissolving ionic compounds and polar molecules by surrounding them with hydration shells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water's polarity and its ability to form hydrogen bonds make it an excellent solvent. This property allows it to dissolve many ionic compounds and polar molecules. Charged particles, such as ions, form hydrogen bonds with the partially charged ends of water molecules, resulting in the formation of a sphere of hydration, also known as a hydration shell. This keeps the dissolved particles separated or dispersed within the water. Substances that are polar or ionic in nature tend to be soluble in water because their charges interact favorably with water's polarity, making water important in various biological and chemical processes as a universal solvent.