Consider the following statements with regard to the properties of water I. Water is a good solvent for ionic compound but poor solvent for covalent compound. II. Water is a good solvent for covalent compound but poor solvent for ionic compound . III. Water has maximum density at the temperature 277° K. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Water is a highly polar molecule, which makes it an excellent solvent for ionic compounds and polar covalent compounds [t1][t5]. Its high dielectric constant allows it to weaken the electrostatic forces in ionic lattices, facilitating dissolution [t9]. However, water is generally a poor solvent for nonpolar covalent compounds, such as many carbon-based molecules, because they lack the necessary charges to interact with water's dipole [c1][t1]. Statement I is therefore correct, while Statement II is incorrect. Regarding Statement III, water exhibits an anomalous property where its density is not highest at its freezing point but at approximately 4°C [t3][t8]. Converting this to the Kelvin scale (K = °C + 273.15), 4°C corresponds to approximately 277.15 K [t3]. Thus, water has its maximum density at 277 K, making Statement III correct. Consequently, only statements I and III are accurate.

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds > 4.1 BONDING IN CARBON – THE COVALENT BOND > p. 59