- Is colorless
- Dissolves many substances
- Has neutral pH
- Is tasteless
Water is termed the “universal solvent” because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid, due to its unique molecular structure and polarity. The water molecule is V-shaped with oxygen (slightly negative) and two hydrogens (slightly positive), creating a dipole that attracts both positive and negative ions. This polarity enables water to surround and separate ions in salts (like NaCl), dissolve polar molecules (sugars, alcohols), and interact with many compounds through hydrogen bonding. Water’s high dielectric constant (78.5 at 25°C) reduces electrostatic attraction between ions, facilitating dissolution. While “universal” is an exaggeration—water doesn’t dissolve nonpolar substances like oils and fats—its dissolving capacity is exceptional and biologically crucial. This property enables: nutrient transport in organisms, waste removal, cellular reactions, and countless industrial processes. The solvent capability depends on temperature, pressure, and solute characteristics. Understanding water’s solvent properties explains its central role in biochemistry, environmental science, pharmacology, and chemistry—essentially, life as we know it depends on water’s remarkable dissolving power.
