Which statement best explains why water is known as the universal solvent?
water is vital in allowing the chemical reactions for life to occur.
liquid water is a medium in which biochemical reactions can occur.
water can carry unreacted substances from location to location.
water has the ability to dissolve more substances than any other liquid.

The correct answer is D. Water has the ability to dissolve more substances than any other liquid.

Explanation:

In chemistry, a solvent refers to a substance that dissolves other substances. In the case of water (H2O) which is composed of two atoms of hydrogen linked to one of oxygen, this is considered as the universal solvent because this liquid can dissolve most substances. This can be explained as the composition of water includes negative charges (oxygen), and positive charges (hydrogen). This causes water molecules to be attracted to most substances whether they are positively or negatively charged and therefore, water reacts with other substances and dissolves them by breaking the forces between the elements composing the substances. According to this, it can be concluded water is known as the universal solvent because "water has the ability to dissolve more substances than any other liquid".