Which substance is known as the universal solvent?

Water is known as the universal solvent due to its remarkable ability to dissolve a wide variety of substances. This property stems from the structure of water molecules, which have a polar arrangement of atoms. The oxygen atom has a slight negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms have a slight positive charge. This polarity allows water to interact with various ionic and polar molecules, effectively breaking them apart and allowing them to disperse throughout the water.

In many chemical and biological processes, water's solvent capabilities are crucial, enabling essential reactions, nutrient transport, and waste removal. Its role as a solvent is vital in fields ranging from chemistry to biology and environmental science.

Other substances mentioned, such as alcohol, salt, and acetone, while they may possess certain solvent properties, do not exhibit the same level of effectiveness across such a wide range of substances as water does. Water's unique properties solidify its status as the universal solvent.