🔬 Science & TechnologyUPSC 2021Space & Space Technology

Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid because

ait is dipolar in nature
bit is a good conductor of heat
cit has high value of specific heat
dit is an oxide of hydrogen
✓ Correct answer: a) it is dipolar in nature
ExplanationWater is often referred to as the “universal solvent” because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid.This exceptional ability is primarily due to its dipolar nature.A water molecule has a bent shape, with the oxygen atom carrying a partial negative charge and the hydrogen atoms carrying partial positive charges.This polarity allows water molecules to surround and interact with various solutes, effectively breaking them apart and dissolving them.Water can develop a strong attraction to another substance, such as salt (NaCl) to the point where it can interfere with the attractive forces holding the sodium and chloride in the salt complex together and dissolve it.In organic chemistry, a dipolar compound or simply dipole is an electrically neutral molecule carrying a positive and a negative charge in at least one canonical description.162

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