Does a real universal solvent exist? Why or why not?

Question

abb0t · Answer

water?

goldphenoix · Answer

Water is not a real universal solvent.

abb0t · Answer

can you back up your counter-argument as to WHY you think it's NOT a $"real"$ universal solvent?

goldphenoix · Answer

A real universal solvent is define as a substance that can dissolve into anything. Water cannot dissolve my hand, or oil.

abb0t · Answer

To some extent, it's the closest thing you have to a universal solvent. more substances dissolve in water than in any other chemical. with the exception of fats and some other bioorganic molecules.

abb0t · Answer

I think you know the answer to your own question.

goldphenoix · Answer

Can you please tell me why some substance are insoluble to other substance? (That's the problem that's making me confused. The textbook doesn't clearly say anything about it) From what your saying, I'm guessing there's no such thing as a real universal solvent.

abb0t · Answer

Are you sure that your textbook doesn't say anything about it? It has to. It's a pretty important concept in chemistry. 
Look for the part that talks about polarity of molecules. It can probably give a better explanation than I can about polar and non polar.

abb0t · Answer

Anyways, I have to go. But look up the solubility rules. I'm 100% sure that there's a table in your chemistry textbook, if not, refer to this website: http://www.ausetute.com.au/solrules.html

goldphenoix · Answer

Thanks for your help anyway. But I swear my textbook doesn't say anything about how substance are insoluble to other substance. What my textbook is basically saying is, "this substance cannot dissolve into that substance" without any reason. This is why i'm having a hard time understanding solution.

anonymous · Answer

yes

jfraser · Answer

ionic substances like salt are held together with what's called a "lattice energy". because salts are this big alternating
(+)(-)(+)(-)(+)
(-)(+)(-)(+)(-)

in every direction, each positive is attracted to as many as 6 negative ions around it, and every negative is attracted to as many as 6 posibtive ions around it. This adds up to the lattice energy binding the crystal together. 

When an ionic substance is put into water, it can also experience a hydration energy, where the attraction of the polar water molecules tries to rip apart the salt, ion by ion.|dw:1368700943118:dw|
if the lattice energy is lower than this hydration energy, the ionic solid will dissolve and dissociate. If the lattice energy is larger than the hydration energy, the solid will not dissolve