Question

UPSC Prelims 2021 Question:

Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid because

1. it is dipolar in natureit is dipolar in nature
2. it is a good conductor of heat
3. it has high value of specific heat
4. it is an oxide of hydrogen

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1: it is dipolar in natureit is dipolar in nature

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Water is called the "universal solvent" because it is capable of dissolving more substances than any other liquid. It is water's chemical composition and physical attributes that make it such an excellent solvent.
Water molecules (H2O) have a polar arrangement of oxygen and hydrogen atoms—one side (hydrogen) has a positive electrical charge and the other side (oxygen) has a negative charge. This allows the water molecule to become attracted to many other different types of molecules.
Water can become so heavily attracted to a different compound, like salt (NaCl), that it can disrupt the attractive forces that hold the sodium and chloride in the salt compound together and, thus, dissolve it.

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Science & Technology | Miscellaneous(s&t

Latest UPSC Exam 2026 Updates

Last updated on March, 2026

→ UPSC Final Result 2025 is now out.

→ UPSC has released UPSC Toppers List 2025 with the Civil Services final result on its official website.

→ Anuj Agnihotri secured AIR 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025.

→ UPSC Marksheet 2025 is now out.

→ UPSC Notification 2026 & UPSC IFoS Notification 2026 is now out on the official website at upsconline.nic.in.

→ UPSC Calendar 2026 has been released.

→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.

→ UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.

→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.

→ Prepare effectively with Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Prelims Test Series 2026 featuring full-length mock tests, detailed solutions, and performance analysis.

→ Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2026 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback.

→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Best UPSC Mentorship Program for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors.

→ Shakti Dubey secures AIR 1 in UPSC CSE Exam 2024.

→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India

Tags: Analytical Conceptual UPSC Prelims 2021 UPSC Prelims 2021 Question