Are all Solvents Alike? (Page 24-25)
The chemistry of water makes it particularly good at
dissolving a variety of materials. For this reason, water is often
called the “universal solvent”. However, water’s excellent
dissolving abilities also means that many pollutants can be easily
carried in the water supply.
Solute and solvent particles with similar properties such as
salt and water will result in dissolving, while particles with
different properties such as oil and water will not.
Questions:
1. What is known as the universal solvent?
2. Why do solute and solvent particles dissolve?
Answers:
1. Water is known as the universal solvent.
2. Solute and solvent will dissolve because the
particles have similar properties.