What term describes water's ability to dissolve many substances?

• A. Universal Solvent
• B. Water as a conductor
• C. Sediment Sources
• D. Chemical Indestructibility

Answer: (A)

Water’s ability to dissolve many substances comes from its polarity and hydrogen-bonding capability. The molecule has a partial negative charge near the oxygen and partial positive charges near the hydrogens, so it can surround and interact with both charged ions and polar molecules. This allows salts to dissociate into ions that become hydrated, and it enables polar compounds to dissolve by forming favorable interactions with water. Because of this broad dissolving power, water is described as the universal solvent. It’s not perfect, though—nonpolar substances like oils don’t dissolve well in water because there are no compatible interactions to stabilize them.

The other terms don’t describe water’s dissolving ability: one refers to electrical conduction (which happens because of dissolved ions, not because water dissolves things), another relates to sediment sources, and the last suggests water cannot change chemically, which isn’t true.