Question

Why is water such an ubiquitous and universal solvent? Why should it dissolve potassium iodate?

Answer 1

Does it not cover two thirds of the earth's surface.....?

Explanation:

While (on this planet) it is commonplace, water is an extraordinary solvent. Just about every solute is soluble to some extent in water. And here we gots ionic solutes, which speciate in solution to give their ions:

`KIO_3(s) stackrel(H_2O)rarrK^+ +IO_3^(-)`

And likewise you gots sulfuric acid also in solution, where it has speciated to give sulfate and hydronium ions.....

`H_2SO_4(aq) +2H_2O(l) rarr 2H_3O^(+) + SO_4^(2-)`

In solution, each ionic species is presumed to be solvated, i.e. associated to some extent by water molecules......