Answer

D

Explanation

Water's ability to dissolve many substances is due to its polar molecular structure. The molecular formula H_{2}O (Option A) simply indicates that water is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, but this does not explain its dissolving properties. The shape of a molecule can influence its polarity, but water does not have a linear shape (Option B); it has a bent or angular shape. A nonpolar molecular structure (Option C) would not allow water to dissolve many substances, as polarity is key to water's solvent capabilities. The correct answer is that water has a partial charge on each side of its molecules (Option D), which is a result of its bent shape and the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen atoms. This creates a dipole moment with a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom and partial positive charges near the hydrogen atoms. This polarity allows water to interact with various substances, leading to the dissolution of many compounds.