Which of the following properties of water explains its solvent abilities for certain substances?
A.
Kinetic energy of liquid water molecules
B.
High specific heat
C.
High surface tension
D.
Polarity of water molecules
The property of water that explains its solvent abilities for certain substances is:
D. Polarity of water molecules
Explanation:
Water molecules are polar, meaning they have a partial positive charge on one end (the hydrogen atoms) and a partial negative charge on the other end (the oxygen atom). This polarity allows water to interact with and dissolve other polar substances and ionic compounds by surrounding and separating the charged particles. This makes water an excellent solvent for many substances.
- A. Kinetic energy of liquid water molecules refers to the movement of water molecules but does not directly explain water’s ability to dissolve substances.
- B. High specific heat refers to water’s ability to absorb and retain heat, which is related to temperature regulation rather than solvent abilities.
- C. High surface tension refers to the cohesive forces between water molecules at the surface, which also does not directly explain the solvent properties.
Thus, the correct answer is D. Polarity of water molecules