Which of the following makes water an ideal solvent for life?
A) water remains liquid over a wide and high range of temperatures
B) ice is less dense than water so when a body of water is cooled, only the surface freezes
C) water is a polar molecule, making it an excellent solvent
D) all of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All of the given options make water an ideal solvent for life. Water is able to remain in a liquid state at temperatures that are common on Earth, allowing for easy transport of dissolved substances. Additionally, ice is less dense than liquid water, ensuring that bodies of water do not freeze solid, which would be detrimental to the organisms living within them. Finally, water's polar nature makes it an excellent solvent, able to dissolve a wide variety of polar and ionic substances necessary for life processes.

Which of the Following Makes Water an Ideal Solvent for Life