Chapter 21, Problem 48R

To determine

To Describe: The reason for stating that water is not always the solvent in a solution.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Water is polar molecule since it has positively and negatively charged components which dissolves most of the substances which are polar in nature and that’s why water is known as universal solvent.

Substances such as oils are non-polar in nature. They do not possess separated positively and negatively charged areas and hence they do not get attracted to charged areas of polar molecules of water. Oils consist of hydrocarbons which are non-polar in nature. To dissolve non-polar solutes there are non-polar solvents. Hence,water is not always the solvent in a solution.

Conclusion:

Thus,substances such as oils are non-polar in nature because they contains hydrocarbons (non-polar) and as a result they do not attracted to charged areas of polar molecules of water. Hence oils like substances do not dissolve in water. To dissolve non-polar solutes there are non-polar solvents.So, water is not always the solvent in a solution.