Water's exceptional ability to dissolve polar and ionic substances is a direct consequence of which property?
- A
Its small molecular size (fits between solutes)
- Bcheck_circle
Its polarity (partial charges on H and O)
- C
Its non-polar covalent bonds with hydrogen
- D
Its high heat of vaporization (cooling effect)
Explanation
Oxygen pulls electrons more strongly than hydrogen, giving water a permanent dipole. The partial charges interact with charged regions of solutes, surrounding and dissolving them.