Which property of water allows it to dissolve ionic substances?

The property of water that allows it to dissolve ionic substances is hydrogen bonding. Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on one end (the hydrogen atoms) and a partial negative charge on the other end (the oxygen atom). This polarity enables water molecules to form hydrogen bonds with ions.

When an ionic substance, such as sodium chloride, is added to water, the positive ends of water molecules are attracted to the negatively charged ions (like chloride ions), while the negative ends of the water molecules are attracted to the positively charged ions (like sodium ions). This interaction helps to pull the ionic compound apart into its individual ions, effectively dissolving the substance.

This ability of water molecules to surround and solvate ions due to their polar nature is critical for many biological processes, including nutrient transport and cellular function.