Question

choose the correct answer.
why is water considered to be a \universal solvent\?
it boils at 100 degrees c.
it can dissolve many things.
it is mostly gaseous.
it is oil - based.

Explanation:

A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute. Water is called the "universal solvent" because it can dissolve many substances due to its polar nature. The ability to dissolve many things is the key characteristic here. Boiling at 100 degrees Celsius is a physical property related to temperature and phase change, not solubility. Water is not mostly gaseous (it's liquid at room temperature under normal conditions) and it's not oil - based (oil and water do not mix well as oil is non - polar and water is polar).

Answer:

It can dissolve many things.