What property of water makes it a good solvent for polar compounds?

Water's effectiveness as a solvent for polar compounds can be attributed to its high dielectric constant. The dielectric constant is a measure of a solvent's ability to reduce the electric field between charged particles; in the case of water, this property facilitates the separation of ions and polar molecules.

Because water is a highly polar molecule itself, it has a permanent dipole moment, with a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom and partial positive charges near the hydrogen atoms. This polarization allows water to interact favorably with other polar substances, effectively surrounding and solubilizing them. The high dielectric constant indicates that water can effectively diminish the forces of attraction between charged particles, allowing solvation to occur more easily.

This characteristic is essential for biological and chemical processes, as it promotes the interaction between ions and polar molecules, fostering a dynamic environment conducive to reactions and transport within cells. Hence, the high dielectric constant of water is a cornerstone of its role as a universal solvent for polar compounds.