Question

Water is considered to be the universal solvent. Many substances will dissolve in water. What property of water makes it easy for water to dissolve ionic substances?

Answer 1

Water's ability to dissolve ionic substances is primarily due to its polar nature. A water molecule has a bent shape with a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom. This polarity allows water molecules to interact with ions effectively.

When an ionic substance, such as sodium chloride (table salt), is placed in water, the positive end (hydrogen side) of the water molecules is attracted to the negatively charged ions (anions), while the negative end (oxygen side) is attracted to the positively charged ions (cations). This interaction allows water molecules to surround the ions and pull them apart, a process known as hydration.

As a result, the polar nature of water facilitates the separation of ions from their solid lattice structure, allowing them to disperse throughout the solution, which is why water is often referred to as the "universal solvent."