QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Water is often called the universal solvent because many different substances dissolve well in water. What causes water to dissolve so many substances?
A. Water is a nonpolar molecule with no charged ends.
B. Water is a covalent compound with no charged ends.
C. Water is a polar molecule with positive and negative ends.
D. Water is an ionic compound with positive and negative ends.
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Answer
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Step 1:: Understand the concept of polar and nonpolar molecules
Polar molecules have positively and negatively charged ends due to the uneven distribution of electrons. Nonpolar molecules have an even distribution of electrons, resulting in no charged ends.
Step 2:: Identify the properties of water molecules
Water ($$H_{2}O$$) is a polar molecule due to the bent shape of the molecule and the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
This leads to partial negative charges near the oxygen atom and partial positive charges near the hydrogen atoms.
Step 3:: Explain the dissolution process in water
When a substance is placed in water, the positive end of the water molecule is attracted to the negative ions or polar parts of the substance, and the negative end of the water molecule is attracted to the positive ions or polar parts of the substance. These attractions cause the ions or polar molecules of the substance to be separated from each other and surrounded by water molecules, leading to dissolution.
Step 4:: Compare the given options with the identified properties of water
Option A suggests that water is a nonpolar molecule, which is incorrect. Option B suggests that water is a covalent compound, which is true, but it doesn't explain the ability of water to dissolve many substances. Option D is incorrect as water is not an ionic compound.
Step 5:: Select the correct answer
Option C is the correct answer since water is a polar molecule with positive and negative ends, which allows it to dissolve many substances through ion-dipole or dipole-dipole interactions.
Final Answer
The correct answer is option C: Water is a polar molecule with positive and negative ends.
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