Question

Water is a universal solvent. Why?

Answer 1

Universal solvent: Universal solvent is a solvent that dissolves many solutes in it.

• Water dissolves more substances than any other liquid.
• The angular structure of water gives its polarity means there is a partial negative charge on oxygen atom and a partial positive charge on hydrogen atom.
• Due to its polar nature, water dissolves all polar substances in it. But water does not dissolve non-polar substances.
• Example: Sodium chloride$\left(\mathrm{NaCl}\right)$ which is ionic in nature dissolves in water.