Question

The main reason why water is often referred to as a 'universal solvent' is because:
Answer

Water has an exceptionally high specific heat value in its solid, liquid and gaseous states and resists temperature changes.

Water can form strong hydrogen bonds with polar and some nonpolar molecules.

Water is the most common liquid on Earth.

Water can easily be converted between solid, liquid and gas phases.

Answer 1

Water is called the the universal solvent because of it's ability to dissolve or dissociate most compounds. It can do this because of it's polarity. Oxygen has a higher electronegativity (meaning a stronger affinity for electrons) than Hydrogen so the oxygen side of a water molecule is slightly negative and the hydrogen side is slightly positive. In a solution, the positive hydrogen side of water is attracted to the negative parts of the compound it is dissolving while the negative oxygen is attracted to the positive parts. This allows water to dissociate and break apart ionic compounds.

Answer 2

Because water is not a solid substance the molecules and atoms are not as close together as say a bricks molecules. Of course all atoms in everything are moving all the time but water just so happens to move at an accelerated rate resulting in the reduction of friction. When you try to heat water the molecules will slow down to stop from heating and when you try to freeze the molecules will speed up try to heat it up. Water resists temperature change not more then other substances, but differently then other fluids because water is like a special case. Remember, water is most dense at 4 degrees Celsius. The viscosity (the power of the resistance) will decrease as the temperature increases, meaning that it won't resist as much as when the temp. is at 4 degrees Celsius. Vice versa; when the temp. decreases, the viscosity increases, making it harder for the particles to flow past one another. That's why when you freeze water, it becomes a solid, which has particles that can't flow past one another at all.

Answer 3

so the answer is ? @Elsa213 @Melodysim

Answer 4

I think it would be 2

Answer 5

is it right @Elsa213 ?

Answer 6

Thank you for the medal sweety! @undeadDragon26

Answer 7

;) yep

Answer 8

@Melodysim

Answer 9

I think its a

Answer 10

Hmmmmmm might be... I am so confused lol

Answer 11

well, I thought it was b.
Could you tell me why you think it is a?

Answer 12

Like i said "Because water is not a solid substance the molecules and atoms are not as close together as say a bricks molecules. Of course all atoms in everything are moving all the time but water just so happens to move at an accelerated rate resulting in the reduction of friction. When you try to heat water the molecules will slow down to stop from heating and when you try to freeze the molecules will speed up try to heat it up. Water resists temperature change not more then other substances, but differently then other fluids because water is like a special case. Remember, water is most dense at 4 degrees Celsius. The viscosity (the power of the resistance) will decrease as the temperature increases, meaning that it won't resist as much as when the temp. is at 4 degrees Celsius. Vice versa; when the temp. decreases, the viscosity increases, making it harder for the particles to flow past one another. That's why when you freeze water, it becomes a solid, which has particles that can't flow past one another at all."

Answer 13

May i ask y do u think it is b?
@Melodysim

Answer 14

because of it's ability to dissolve or dissociate most compounds. It can do this because of it's polarity. I thought there might be a relation to hydrogen bonds

Answer 15

huh... what is this from @undeadDragon26 ?

Answer 16

like hw?

Answer 17

>_>