Why is water considered as the universal solvent?
A. It is a liquid.
B. It can change its state.
C. It is abundant in all parts of the earth.
D. It can dissolve almost any material.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: D. It can dissolve almost any material.
Water is considered the universal solvent because of its remarkable ability to dissolve a wide variety of substances more than any other liquid. This property is primarily due to its polar nature and hydrogen bonding capability. A water molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The oxygen atom has a partial negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms have partial positive charges. This creates a polar molecule with a positive and a negative end.
Because of this polarity, water molecules can surround and separate individual ions or molecules of a solute. For example, when salt (sodium chloride) is added to water, the positive part of the water molecule surrounds the negatively charged chloride ions, and the negative part surrounds the positively charged sodium ions. This breaks the ionic bond and dissolves the salt into the solution.
Water can also dissolve many other types of substances, such as sugars, acids, gases, and even some proteins. Its effectiveness in dissolving substances makes it an essential component of biological and chemical processes. For instance, in the human body, water transports nutrients, oxygen, and waste products. In environmental systems, it helps carry minerals through the soil and supports aquatic ecosystems.
Although water cannot dissolve every material—for example, oils and non-polar substances do not mix well with water—it dissolves more materials than any other known liquid. This is why scientists and educators refer to water as the “universal solvent.” It is not simply because it is a liquid, changes state, or is abundant on Earth. Its chemical structure and ability to interact with a wide range of substances make it uniquely suited for this role.