Which term describes a liquid capable of dissolving other substances, with water cited as an example due to its polarity and hydrogen bonding?

Which term describes a liquid capable of dissolving other substances, with water cited as an example due to its polarity and hydrogen bonding?

• A. Solvent
• B. Solute
• C. Solution
• D. Suspension

Answer: (A)

A solvent is the liquid that dissolves other substances. Water is a classic example because its molecules are polar and can form hydrogen bonds. The polarity means water has a positive and a negative end, so it can surround and interact with charged or polar parts of solute particles, weakening the forces that hold them together in the solute and allowing them to disperse into the liquid. Hydrogen bonding further stabilizes those interactions, making many substances—like salts and sugars—dissolve in water to form a solution. The substance being dissolved is called the solute, the resulting mixture is a solution, and a suspension is a mixture where some particles do not dissolve and may settle out.

A solvent is the liquid that dissolves other substances. Water is a classic example because its molecules are polar and can form hydrogen bonds. The polarity means water has a positive and a negative end, so it can surround and interact with charged or polar parts of solute particles, weakening the forces that hold them together in the solute and allowing them to disperse into the liquid. Hydrogen bonding further stabilizes those interactions, making many substances—like salts and sugars—dissolve in water to form a solution. The substance being dissolved is called the solute, the resulting mixture is a solution, and a suspension is a mixture where some particles do not dissolve and may settle out.