why water dissolves many different substances??
2006-11-14 10:18:09 · 1 answers · asked by jouliette 1 in Environment
The geometry or the structure of the water molecule is what makes is so good. In compounds, the number of positive protons is equal to the number of negative electrons, so it would appear that all compounds are electrically neutral. But that is not the case. Water's geometry is such that the electrons are not uniformly distributed throughout the molecule. So the end of the molecule with greater electron density is slightly negative and the other slightly positive.
The partial charge that develops across the water molecule helps make it an excellent solvent. Water dissolves many substances by surrounding charged particles and "pulling" them into solution. For example, common table salt, sodium chloride, is an ionic substance that contains alternating sodium and chlorine ions.
2006-11-16 09:33:45 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. J. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋