What characteristic makes water an effective solvent?

Water's effectiveness as a solvent primarily stems from its polarity. The molecule of water is composed of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms, creating a bent shape that results in a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom and partial positive charges on the hydrogen atoms. This unequal distribution of charge renders water a polar molecule.

Because of this polarity, water can interact with other polar molecules and ionic compounds effectively. For example, when table salt (sodium chloride) is added to water, the positive part of the water molecules is attracted to the negatively charged chloride ions, and the negative part of the water molecules is attracted to the positively charged sodium ions. This interaction helps to separate the ions and dissolve the salt, illustrating how water's polarity enables it to interact with various substances and dissolve them.

This characteristic of polarity is fundamental to many biological processes, as it allows for the transport of nutrients and waste in biological systems, making water an essential component of life.