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 polarity of water molecules explains its solvent abilities for certain substances.
Water is a polar molecule because it has a partial positive charge on one end and a partial negative charge on the other end due to the unequal sharing of electrons between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms.
This polarity allows water to dissolve other polar substances and ionic compounds.
Choice A.
Kinetic energy of liquid water molecules is not the correct answer because kinetic energy refers to the energy of motion and does not directly explain water’s solvent abilities.
Choice B.
High specific heat is not the correct answer because specific heat refers to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance and does not directly explain water’s solvent abilities.
Choice C.
High surface tension is not the correct answer because surface tension refers to the cohesive forces between liquid molecules and does not directly explain water’s solvent abilities.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.