Question

Why is water called a universal solvent?
A. Because plants use water to take minerals from soil.
B. Water can dissolve a wide variety of substances.
C. Water is clear and transparent.
D. None of the above.

Answer 1

Hint: A substance which dissolves a solute in it to form a solution is called a Solvent. We generally refer to liquids as solvent, but it may also be in solid or gaseous state.

Complete step by step solution:
A universal solvent is a substance that dissolves most chemicals. Water is called the universal solvent because it dissolves more substances than any other solvent although not all.
We know water is polar in nature thus water dissolves more chemicals than any other solvent because its polar nature gives each molecule a hydrophobic (water-fearing) and hydrophilic (water-loving) side. The side of the molecules with two hydrogen atoms has a slight positive electrical charge, while the oxygen atom carries a slight negative charge. The polarization lets water attract many different types of molecules. The strong attraction to ionic molecules, such as sodium chloride or common salt, allows water to separate the compound into its ions. Other molecules, such as sucrose or sugar, aren't torn into ions, but disperse evenly in water.
While all the three options are true with respect to properties of water. It is called a universal solvent because it can dissolve a wide variety of substances.
Hence, Option B is the correct answer.

Note: Alkahest is a hypothetical true universal solvent, capable of dissolving any other substance but it does not actually exist since a substance that dissolves all others cannot be stored because the container would be dissolved.