Which of the following statements about the properties of water as a universal solvent is true?

• A. Water can dissolve nonpolar substances easily.
• B. Water's solvent properties are due to its nonpolar nature.
• C. Water's polarity allows it to dissolve many ionic and polar substances.
• D. Water is a poor solvent for ionic compounds.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of polarity: Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other, due to the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
2. Recognize how polarity affects solubility: The polarity of water allows it to interact with and dissolve other polar substances and ionic compounds. This is because the positive and negative ends of water molecules can surround and separate the ions or polar molecules.
3. Evaluate the statement about nonpolar substances: Nonpolar substances do not dissolve well in water because there is no charge attraction between the water molecules and the nonpolar molecules. This is why oil, a nonpolar substance, does not mix with water.
4. Assess the statement about water's nature: Water's solvent properties are not due to a nonpolar nature, but rather its polar nature, which allows it to dissolve many substances.
5. Conclude with the correct statement: The correct statement is that water's polarity allows it to dissolve many ionic and polar substances, making it an excellent solvent for these types of compounds.