Have you ever wondered why water is so good at dissolving things? Chemicals like turpentine, ethanol, and sulfuric acid can dissolve substances like paint and oil, but water is even more impressive. It’s often called the “universal solvent” because it can dissolve more substances than almost anything else on Earth. We see water everywhere—falling from the sky as rain, flowing through our pipes, and being used for drinking, washing, and bathing.
For a liquid to dissolve something, it needs to separate the molecules of that substance and keep them apart. Water is excellent at this because its molecules have strong positive and negative charges. These charges help water interact with and pull apart other molecules that also have charged parts.
Many things on our planet have these charged parts, which is why they can dissolve in water to different extents. This makes water great for cleaning because it can wash away sticky residues or stains. However, water doesn’t dissolve everything, like countertops, clothes, windows, or streets. This is a good thing because it would be a disaster if cleaning something made it disappear or if rain could ruin buildings and roads!
The reason water doesn’t dissolve everything is due to the materials we use. Substances like quartz for countertops, cotton for clothing, glass for windows, and asphalt for streets are made of molecules without charged parts. This makes them resistant to water. Imagine if we used sugar to build roads—it would wash away in the rain!
Some things, like washable markers, are designed to dissolve in water so they can be easily cleaned. On the other hand, we also create things that don’t dissolve in water when we want them to last, like permanent markers.
Humans and other living things have evolved to live in a world where water dissolves many substances. Our skin has an outer layer that is uncharged, making it resistant to water. This is why we don’t dissolve when we take a shower! Similarly, the membranes around our cells have protective layers to prevent water from breaking them down.
The ability of water to dissolve many things is crucial for life on Earth. It allows nutrients to be transported in our bodies and helps plants absorb minerals from the soil. Thanks to evolution, humans, trees, fish, bacteria, and other life forms have developed ways to stay safe in a watery world.
Gather a variety of household substances like salt, sugar, oil, and sand. Mix each with water and observe what happens. Record which substances dissolve and which do not. Discuss why some substances dissolve in water while others do not, based on their molecular structure.
Research and list common substances and their solubility in water. Create a chart categorizing them into “soluble” and “insoluble” groups. Share your chart with classmates and discuss any surprising findings.
Imagine you are an engineer tasked with designing a new product that needs to be water-resistant. Choose a material that does not dissolve in water and explain why it is suitable for your product. Present your design to the class.
In groups, create a short skit where you act as water molecules encountering different substances. Show how you interact with substances that dissolve and those that do not. Perform your skit for the class and explain the science behind your interactions.
Research how water’s ability to dissolve substances is crucial for life. Focus on one specific example, such as nutrient transport in plants or the human body. Create a poster or presentation to share your findings with the class.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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Chemicals like turpentine, ethanol, and sulfuric acid are effective at dissolving various substances, including paint, oil, and more. However, there is another liquid that can dissolve more substances than almost anything else on Earth: water, often referred to as the “universal solvent.” This remarkable solvent is ubiquitous; it falls from the sky, fills our pipes, and is used for bathing, washing hands, and drinking.
Given water’s powerful dissolving capabilities, why doesn’t it dissolve everything? Welcome to MinuteEarth. Water is indeed proficient at dissolving many substances. For a liquid to dissolve something, it must separate the molecules that make up that substance and keep them apart. Water is particularly suited for this task; its molecules possess strong positive and negative charges, allowing them to interact with and separate other molecules that have charged parts.
Many substances on our planet contain charged parts, which is why they can dissolve in water to varying degrees. This property makes water our preferred choice for cleaning; it can effectively remove sticky residues or stains. However, water does not dissolve materials like countertops, clothes, windows, or streets. At first glance, this might seem fortunate, as it would be problematic if cleaning something caused it to disintegrate or if rain could damage infrastructure.
In fact, the dissolving abilities of water are fundamental to the structure of our world. We use materials like quartz for countertops, cotton for clothing, glass for windows, and asphalt for streets because these substances are largely composed of molecules without charged parts, making them resistant to water. It would be impractical to use materials that dissolve in water, such as sugar, for construction—unless, of course, they were meant to be consumed.
Many substances that water can dissolve, like washable markers, have been designed to be easily removed. Conversely, we have also created versions of substances that are not soluble in water for situations where we want them to remain intact. By ensuring that water dissolves only what we intend, we have adapted our lives to coexist with this powerful solvent.
Humans have also evolved to thrive in a world where water dissolves many substances, which is why we do not dissolve ourselves. The outer layer of our skin is structured to be uncharged and therefore resistant to dissolution. Similarly, the membranes surrounding our cells have protective layers that prevent water from breaking them down. The existence of humans, trees, fish, bacteria, and other life forms on this watery planet is due to our evolution of barriers that keep us safe from being dissolved.
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This version maintains the original content’s essence while ensuring clarity and appropriateness.
Water – A transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth’s streams, lakes, and oceans, and the fluids of most living organisms. – Water is essential for all living organisms because it helps transport nutrients and waste products in and out of cells.
Dissolve – The process by which a solid, liquid, or gas forms a solution in a solvent. – When you add sugar to tea, it will dissolve, making the tea sweet.
Molecules – The smallest unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction. – Water molecules are made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
Charged – Having an electric charge, which can be positive or negative. – Ions are charged particles that form when atoms gain or lose electrons.
Substances – Materials with a definite chemical composition. – Salt and sugar are examples of substances that can dissolve in water.
Cleaning – The process of removing dirt, impurities, or harmful microorganisms from surfaces or objects. – Soap is effective in cleaning because it helps break down oils and grease.
Resistant – Having the ability to withstand or not be affected by something. – Some bacteria are resistant to antibiotics, making them harder to kill.
Nutrients – Substances that provide nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life. – Plants absorb nutrients from the soil to help them grow.
Evolution – The process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth. – The evolution of species can be observed through changes in their physical characteristics over time.
Life – The condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death. – Scientists study the conditions necessary for life to understand how organisms survive and thrive.
