Which characteristic of water best explains its ability to dissolve a wide variety of materials? Its transparency in light. Its electrical conductivity. Its physical state of matter. Its molecular arrangement.

## Step 1<br />The problem is asking us to identify the characteristic of water that best explains its ability to dissolve a wide variety of materials. The options provided are: its transparency in light, its electrical conductivity, its physical state of matter, and its molecular arrangement.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The ability of water to dissolve a wide variety of materials is due to its polar nature. This is a result of the molecular arrangement of water. <br /><br />## Step 3<br />Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a positive and a negative end. This allows it to interact with other polar molecules and ions, effectively breaking them apart and dissolving them.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />The other options, such as its transparency in light, its electrical conductivity, and its physical state of matter, do not directly explain water's ability to dissolve a wide variety of materials.