Question

Complete the following statement: Water (H2O) is a?

1. salt.
2. strong electrolyte.
3. flammable solvent.
4. polar solvent.
5. linear molecule.
6. non-polar solvent.

Answer 1

Water `(H_2O)` is a polar solvent.

Explanation:

1. salt
   The definition of a salt is an ionic compound formed by the neutralization reaction of acids and bases.
   Water is not a salt.

2. strong electrolyte
   An electrolyte is an substance that produces ions when dissolved in water, so water is not an electrolyte.

3. flammable solvent
   Solvent is something that a solute dissolves in, so water is a solvent. However, water is not flammable, as it extinguishes fire rather than setting it.

4. polar solvent
   This is TRUE . Again, water is a solvent, and it is also polar. Here is the Lewis structure below:
   
   Oxygen is much more polar than both the hydrogen cations combined, meaning that water is polar.

5. linear molecule
   Based on the Lewis structure above, we can see that there are two lone pairs on oxygen. This molecular geometry of water is bent, meaning that it is not a linear molecule.

6. non-polar solvent
   As said earler, water is polar, so this is incorrect.

Therefore, water `(H_2O)` is a polar solvent.

Hope this helps!