9.29 What properties of water make it useful as a solvent? What types of compound can it (i) dissolve, and (ii) hydrolyse ?
Water is essential for all forms of life. It constitutes around 65% of the human body and 95% of plants. Water plays an important role in the biosphere owing to its high specific heat, thermal conductivity, surface tension, dipole moment, and dielectric constant. The high heat of vapourization and heat of capacity of water helps in moderating the climate and body temperature of all living beings. It acts as a carrier of various nutrients required by plants and animals for various metabolic reactions.
