The Universal Solvent
Water isn’t just essential for life—it’s a chemical powerhouse. You’ve probably heard it called the “universal solvent,” but what does that actually mean? And why does it matter? Let’s break it down.
What Does “Universal Solvent” Mean?
The term universal solvent means that water can dissolve more substances than most other liquids. From salts and sugars to gases and acids, water has an incredible ability to pull things apart on a molecular level. This make it an essential part of life – from the cells in your body to the water cycle and virtually everywhere in nature.
Why is Water Such a Great Solvent?
The magic of water comes from its molecular structure and polarity.
- Water is a Polar Molecule
Each water molecule (H₂O) is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. But they don’t share electrons evenly—oxygen hogs them. This creates a partial negative charge on the oxygen end and a partial positive charge on the hydrogen ends. Think of water like a tiny magnet with positive and negative sides – the poles.
- Like Dissolves Like
Because of its polarity, water is amazing at dissolving other polar substances and ionic compounds. When salt (NaCl) dissolves in water, the positive part of water (hydrogen) surrounds the negatively charged chloride ions, and the negative part of water (oxygen) surrounds the positively charged sodium ions. Boom—salt dissolves.
- Hydrogen Bonding Helps
Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with each other and with other substances. These weak-but-numerous attractions make it easier for water to surround and separate solute molecules.
What Can’t Water Dissolve?
Despite the name “universal solvent,” water can’t actually dissolve everything.
- Nonpolar substances like oils and fats don’t mix with water. That’s why oil floats on top of water.
- Some large molecules or complex compounds also resist dissolving in water.
So, “universal” is a bit of an exaggeration—but only a little.
Why Does This Matter?
Water’s dissolving ability is fundamental to a lot of different processes:
- In biology: It allows cells to transport nutrients, eliminate waste, and carry out chemical reactions. In other words, water’s dissolving ability fuels the processes that give plants and animals energy.
- In nature: It drives weathering of rocks, creates soil, and supports aquatic ecosystems. It might take decades or centuries, but water carves out biomes, moves silt, and soil, and gives home to a host of aquatic creatures and plants.
- In industry: Water is used in cleaning, manufacturing, and countless chemical processes. Virtually every industry makes use of water in some capacity, which makes treating and optimizing that water extremely important.
When Water’s Power Becomes a Problem: Industrial Downsides
Water’s incredible ability to dissolve things isn’t always a good thing—especially in industrial settings. In fact, it can cause some serious headaches if not treated correctly:
- Corrosion
When water dissolves salts, oxygen, or acidic gases like CO₂ and SO₂, it creates solutions that can be highly corrosive. This can lead to the rusting and deterioration of metals in machinery, pipes, boilers, and tanks. Over time, this weakens structures and causes costly damage.
- Pitting
In some cases, water doesn’t just cause uniform corrosion—it causes pitting, which are tiny, concentrated spots of corrosion that dig into metal surfaces. These pits can be hard to detect but can lead to equipment failure if they go unnoticed.
- Scaling and Deposits
Water can also carry dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. When conditions change (like temperature or pressure), these minerals can precipitate out and form scale—hard, crusty deposits that clog pipes and reduce heat exchange efficiency.
- Contamination and Fouling
Water’s ability to dissolve organic and inorganic substances also means it can become a carrier for contaminants. In cooling systems, this leads to biofouling—the buildup of biological material like algae and bacteria, which disrupts operations and requires heavy treatment.
Fact Water: The Real Solution!
When it comes to treating industrial water, Fact has you covered. We offer treatment services and solutions for any water issue – from full system revamps, to fixing and troubleshooting issues in existing systems. Whether you need filtration, deionization, PFAS remediation, or something else, we have the tools and know-how to get the job done! Get in touch today and let us know how we can help!