Question

Water is often called the "universal solvent" because many substances can be dissolved in water. What property of water allows it to be such a versatile solvent?
The positive and negative charges on water molecules form strong attractions toward ions and other charged particles.
The neutral pH of pure water means there are no other molecules to interfere with the dissolving process.
The high specific heat capacity of water allows it to absorb large amounts of solutes with very little energy needed.
The low density of liquid water means there is room for solutes to fit in between the water molecules.

Answer 1

Answer: Option (a) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

It is known that molecular formula of water is $H_{2}O$. And, due to the difference in electronegativity of both hydrogen and oxygen there will be formation of a positive charge on hydrogen atom and a negative charge on oxygen.

As a result, each molecule of water becomes polar in nature.

Hence, these charges will attract species with opposite charges. This, tendency of water molecules makes most of the species to dissolve into water.

Thus, we can conclude that property in which positive and negative charges on water molecules form strong attractions toward ions and other charged particles allows it to be such a versatile solvent.

Answer 2

The answer is A: The positive and negative charges on water molecules form strong attractions toward ions and other charged particles.