What properties of water make it useful as a solvent? What types of compound can it (i) dissolve and (ii) hydrolyse?

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Water as a Solvent**:
- Water is often referred to as the "universal solvent" due to its ability to dissolve a wide range of substances. This property is primarily attributed to its molecular structure and polarity.

2. **Properties of Water**:
- **High Dielectric Constant**: Water has a high dielectric constant, which reduces the electrostatic forces between charged particles (ions). This allows ionic compounds to separate into their constituent ions when dissolved in water.
- **Dipole Moment**: Water molecules are polar, meaning they have a positive end (hydrogens) and a negative end (oxygen). This polarity enables water to interact with various solutes effectively.
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