Which property of water most directly explains its critical importance to most facets of human life?

• A. Its high density compared to other liquids
• B. Its ability to dissolve a wide variety of substances due to its polarity
• C. Its inability to form solutions with ionic compounds
• D. Its lack of hydrogen bonding

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the question: The problem is asking which property of water is most directly responsible for its critical importance to human life. This requires analyzing the options and understanding the unique properties of water.
2. Review the key properties of water: Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom. This polarity allows water to interact with and dissolve many substances, especially ionic compounds and polar molecules.
3. Eliminate incorrect options: (1) 'Its high density compared to other liquids' is incorrect because water is not particularly dense compared to other liquids, and this property is not central to its biological importance. (2) 'Its inability to form solutions with ionic compounds' is incorrect because water is excellent at dissolving ionic compounds due to its polarity. (3) 'Its lack of hydrogen bonding' is incorrect because water does exhibit hydrogen bonding, which is crucial for many of its properties, such as high specific heat and surface tension.
4. Focus on the correct property: The correct answer is 'Its ability to dissolve a wide variety of substances due to its polarity.' This property is critical because it allows water to act as a universal solvent, facilitating chemical reactions, nutrient transport, and waste removal in biological systems.
5. Conclude: Water's polarity and ability to dissolve substances make it indispensable for life processes, as it supports the biochemical reactions and transport mechanisms essential for human survival.