Question

It's sometimes said that water is a universal solvent. Do a little research in this term why do some people call it this? What aspect of its structure makes it a good solvent? If a "universal solvent" could dissolve anything what problems might you imagine that it would cause in everyday life ?

Answer 1

Water is a very good solvent and it dissolves most substances that are not organic, like minerals etc. It is a very good solvent because it is polar. It has one positively charged end and one negatively charged and thus it can attract many molecules and even break up their bonds with other molecules; this results in dissolution. If there was truly a universal solvent, that would be first of all dangerous to humans since it would just dissolve us. It would be also dangerous to store and precious items could be lost within it since they would be dissolved.

Answer 2

Answer:

Water is known as a universal solvent as it possesses the tendency to dissolve different kinds of components in comparison to any other solvent. The chemical structure of water like its atoms exhibits a balanced electrical charge and alignment of polar makes it capable of differentiating various ionic components and provides balanced attraction to various elements, which is appropriate for any substances or life forms.  

Though this could be an issue in everyday life as considered as a universal solvent it does not essentially dissolve each of the components. As water solitarily cannot be used in getting rid of oils as it cannot dissolve fats and waxes, and in dissolving huge concentrations of sugar and salt in the body.