2006-08-18 19:13:04 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Water is often called the "universal solvent" because it dissolves a great many substances. In fact, so many substances are soluble in water that when chemists refer to a "solution" it is immediately understood that they are talking about a solution in water, unless otherwise specified. Similarly, if someone says a substance is "soluble," they mean it is soluble in water, unless otherwise specified.
That said, most non-polar substances are not soluble in water. Otherwise, nothing could contain water, as it would dissolve any container it is put in.
2006-08-18 19:31:52 · answer #1 · answered by knivetsil 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In a water molecule. The oxygen atom has a greater for the electrons in the covalent bonds between the oxygen atom and the hydrogen atoms. The shared electrons tend to spend more time close to oxygen and not the hydrogen. So the oxygen gains a slight negative charge, where the hydrogens gain a slight negative charge. This makes water a polar molecule. the polarity of the molecules makes it a good solvent. NaCl (salt) is broken down into the ions of Na+ and Cl- the Na+ is attracted to the negative oxygen, while the Cl- is attracted to the positive hydrogen. What is dissolved doesn't have to be an ionic compound. Ethanol (C2H5OH) is easily dissolved into water to make wine and beer. that is because the OH group on the alcohol is also polar like water. Again, the oxygen is slightly negative, while the hydrogen is slightly positive. these are attracted to the polar water molecules. definitely there a many things that won't dissolve in water like oils and fats, because these are nonpolar compounds.
2016-03-16 23:52:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Universal Solvent may refer to:
Water, an extremely common solvent
Alkahest, a hypothetical solvent in alchemy
or
The most "Universal Solvent" known is water
2006-08-18 19:35:48 · answer #3 · answered by azy t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the substance get dissolve in water so water is regarded
as the universal solvent.
2006-08-20 15:01:21 · answer #4 · answered by moosa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No need for people to get so excited. Yes, water is the most universal solvent known.
2006-08-18 20:38:38 · answer #5 · answered by Curious1usa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. I like Science and Math, because it has people who know what is going on. The first three answers are exactly right.
Look, I spend most of my Y!A time in this section, and this is probably a rant, but I like seeing correct anwers come up intelligently and often.
BTW, no, its not the universal solvent. But you already knew that because if you owned a cup of the universal solvent...in what would you store it?
2006-08-18 19:57:27 · answer #6 · answered by iandanielx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just like Dr. J said. Water is considered the "universal solvent" because the majority of solutions can be dissolved by water, which doesn't necessarily mean all substances can be dissolved in it.
2006-08-18 19:27:46 · answer #7 · answered by reytaekwondo 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes,water is a called a universal solvent beacuse of sumthing to do wid the dipole moment. and also the due to the hydrogen forming tendency wid the polar compunds. but water can't dissolve non-polar compounds cuz they cnt form hydrogen bonds. and thus though water is a universal compound it certainly cannot dissolve al the stuff
2006-08-18 21:07:55 · answer #8 · answered by ani 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Water is polar and consequently can only be a solvent for other polar molecules.
Non-polar molecules such as lipids would not dissolve in polar water. That is why 'oil and water' don't mix!
2006-08-18 19:18:10 · answer #9 · answered by Doctor J 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YeSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
2006-08-18 19:32:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋