Water is a good solvent of ionic salts because

Options

A. it has no colour
B. it has a high boiling point
C. it has a high dipole moment
D. it has a high specific heat

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Water's Structure**: Water (H₂O) consists of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. The oxygen atom has a lone pair of electrons and is more electronegative than hydrogen, which means it attracts the electrons from hydrogen towards itself.

2. **Polarity of Water**: Due to the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen, water molecules have a dipole moment. The oxygen end of the molecule has a partial negative charge (δ-) while the hydrogen ends have partial positive charges (δ+). This makes water a polar molecule.

3. **Nature of Ionic Salts**: Ionic salts are composed of positively and negatively charged ions. These ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction. When ionic salts are placed in water, the polar water molecules interact with the charged ions.

4. **Dissolution Process**: The positive end of the water molecules (hydrogens) is attracted to the negatively charged ions (anions) of the salt, while the negative end (oxygen) is attracted to the positively charged ions (cations). This interaction helps to pull the ions apart from the solid structure of the ionic salt.

5. **Hydrogen Bonding**: Water molecules can form hydrogen bonds with the ions. This strong interaction further stabilizes the ions in solution, allowing them to disperse evenly throughout the water.

6. **Conclusion**: Because of its high dipole moment and ability to form hydrogen bonds, water is an excellent solvent for ionic salts. This property allows water to dissolve a wide variety of ionic compounds effectively.

**Final Answer**: Water is a good solvent for ionic salts because it is a polar molecule with a high dipole moment, which allows it to interact effectively with the charged ions in the salts, facilitating their dissolution through hydrogen bonding.

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