Question

Water acts as a powerful ionizing solvent due to its dielectric constant.

A. True
B. False

Answer 1

We know that there are two constituents of a solvent, that is, solute and solvent. Solute is the one that got dissolved in solvent. Solvent is always present in higher quantity than solute. For example, In a sugar solution, sugar is solute and water is solvent.

Complete step by step answer:
Let’s first discuss ionizing and non-ionizing solvent. The solvents which have the capability to undergo self ionization is called ionizing solvents. And the solvents that do not undergo self ionization are termed as non-ionizing solvents. Some ionizing solvents are water, ammonia etc.

Let’s first understand dielectric constant in detail. This is the property that measures the ability of a substance in insulating charges from each other. Dielectric constant is expressed by the symbol $\varepsilon$. The higher value of dielectric constant $\left( \varepsilon \right)$indicates that more ability of the substance to stabilize the charge. The value of the dielectric constant of water is 80. As its dielectric constant value is very high, it acts as a powerful ionizing solvent.
Hence, the given statement is true.

Additional Information:
Let’s discuss the reason for the high value of the dielectric constant of water. The higher value of dielectric constant indicates that the substance that consists of ionic bonds tends to dissociate in water giving ions containing solutions. This happens because as a solvent water opposes the attraction between negative and positive ions which presents dissolving ionic substances.

Note:
Water is a polar solvent whose chemical formula is ${{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}$. It is called polar as it has large dipole moments as it has bonds betweens atoms possessing varying electronegativities such as oxygen and hydrogen. It has the capability of dissolving a variety of substances than other liquid solvents. That’s why it is also known as universal solvent.