2007-08-27 13:19:03 · 6 answers · asked by :D 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
To expand on Gregory's answer, water is the universal ionic solvent and carbon tetrachloride is the universal covalent solvent. The oxygen atom in water is in tetrahedral co-ordination with two hydrogen atoms on one side giving that side a positive charge. The other side has a negative charge because there are two pairs of electrons (from the oxygen atom) there. These "sides" of water attract the opposite charges on ionic substances and pull them apart, thus dissolving the ionic substance.
2007-08-27 14:46:41 · answer #1 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Water is a unique chemical! It is a very small molecule that easily squeezes between larger particles. It also is polar -- which gives it some dissolving power. Water can be either covalent (with shared electrons) or ionic (having two separate ions in its construction -- one negative and the other positive). This means that water dissolves everything, and is therefore the "universal solvent". However, there still are a great many substances that water is not very good at dissolving.
2007-08-27 13:58:43 · answer #2 · answered by gregory_s19 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It has a positive side and a negative side because it is a polar compound.
That allows it to attract more ions from other substances.
2007-08-27 17:27:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Water dissolves most substanses becuase it is the universal solvent.
2007-08-27 13:21:50 · answer #4 · answered by Jose C 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
because it is a liquid. and h2o is the atom with least components.
2007-08-27 13:38:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
exactly.. universal solvent
2007-08-27 13:27:13 · answer #6 · answered by shenggoy 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋