Water dissolves many substances. Why does this occur?

1 Answer
Jan 7, 2017

Well, water is a #"protic, polar solvent............"#

Explanation:

Water is a highly unusual liquid. It has low molecular mass, yet very high normal boiling point. The high boiling point owes to extensive, intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the bulk liquid. We can represent the polarity of water by a diagram of the form #""^(delta+)H-O^(delta-)-H^(delta+)#, and this polarity, this charge separation allows water to solvate ions effectively. Most substances, polar or ionic or not, have some water solubility.