Question

Water is a universal solvent.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Hint: Water is a molecule which possesses a net dipole moment owing to its ‘bent’ shape. It can therefore cause a polarizing effect in almost any substance dissolved in it.

Complete step by step answer:
Water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen, with a chemical formula \[{{H}_{2}}O\]. It contains 11.188 percent hydrogen and 88.812 percent oxygen, by weight.
It exists as a transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid, which freezes at 0 degree Celsius and boils at 100 degree Celsius at mean sea level. Naturally, it is found in rain, oceans, lakes, rivers, etc.
Water has the ability to dissolve a large number of substances in it and is hence known as a universal solvent. It is because of this, that water is also known as ‘Elixir of Life’.
Water possesses the ability to solubilize substances due to its polarity. The hydrogen atoms in each water molecule carries a slight positive electric charge, whereas the oxygen atom carries a slight negative electric charge. The polarity therefore induced helps water dissociate ionic compounds into their positive and negative ions.
Therefore, the answer is – option (a) – The given statement is true.

Note: Water also has a very high dielectric constant. It is around 80.4 which is the highest for any substance. Dielectric constant is the relative permittivity of a dielectric material. It is also one of the reasons that water acts as an universal solvent.