A1.1.5—Solvent properties of water
Water’s partial charges surround ions and interact with polar molecules, allowing many biologically important solutes to dissolve and move in aqueous fluids.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- A1.1.5
- Level
- HL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing4%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2017
Most common paper—
Typical marks1–3
Common command terms
- Identify
- Explain
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Calling water a universal solvent that dissolves all substances.
Recent exam appearances
November 2017Paper2 HL · TZ03(b)[ 3 ]A1.1.5—Solvent properties of water
May 2017Paper1 HL · TZ27[ 1 ]A1.1.5—Solvent properties of water
November 2016Paper1 HL · TZ06[ 1 ]A1.1.5—Solvent properties of water
November 2014Paper1 HL · TZ07[ 1 ]A1.1.5—Solvent properties of water
Practice this objective
Coverage 2014–2017 · Updated 14 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Polarity allows water to interact with ions and polar molecules.
- Water molecules form oriented hydration shells around ions.
- Many dissolved solutes can be transported in aqueous body fluids.
- Non-polar substances generally dissolve poorly in water.