Which of the following is a characteristic of water that makes it an effective universal solvent?

• A. Water is a non-polar molecule.
• B. Water can dissolve many substances due to its polarity.
• C. Water has a low surface tension.
• D. Water has a high specific heat capacity.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of a universal solvent: A universal solvent is a substance that can dissolve a wide variety of solutes. Water is often referred to as a universal solvent due to its ability to dissolve many different substances.
2. Recognize the importance of polarity in solubility: Polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge around a molecule. Polar molecules have regions with slight positive and negative charges, which can interact with other charged or polar substances.
3. Examine the structure of water: Water (H₂O) is a polar molecule. It has a bent shape with an oxygen atom that is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms, creating a partial negative charge near the oxygen and a partial positive charge near the hydrogens.
4. Explore how water's polarity contributes to its solvent properties: The polarity of water allows it to interact with and dissolve ionic compounds and other polar molecules. The positive and negative regions of water molecules can surround and separate the ions or polar molecules, facilitating their dissolution.
5. Consider other properties of water: While water's high specific heat capacity and surface tension are important for other biological functions, they do not directly contribute to its ability to act as a universal solvent. Focus on the role of polarity in solubility.