Everyday Science

Water is called the universal solvent because it can dissolve a wide range of substances due to its polar molecular structure and ability to form hydrogen bonds and ion-dipole interactions. This property allows water to dissolve many chemical substances, including salts, sugars, and gases, facilitating numerous chemical reactions. While water is crucial for biochemical reactions in living organisms, its solvent properties are not limited to biochemical reactions alone but extend broadly to chemical reactions in general. Therefore, the most accurate answer is that water is a universal solvent for chemical reactions.

Nuclear radiation is emitted by elements whose nuclei are unstable because unstable nuclei undergo radioactive decay to reach a more stable state, releasing radiation in the process.

A glass chimney around an oil lamp enhances airflow by convection, increasing oxygen supply to the flame, which helps it burn more completely and reduces smoking. Option B is incomplete and unclear, so option A is the best answer.

Ice, diamond, and sucrose all have well-defined crystalline structures, whereas plastic is generally amorphous or semi-crystalline and does not have a regular crystal lattice like the others.

The Moon is always half illuminated by the Sun, but as it orbits Earth, we see varying portions of the lit half, causing the phases. The Sun does not orbit Earth, and shadows cause eclipses, not phases.

Silicon is the primary element used in solar cells for converting solar energy into electrical energy due to its semiconductor properties. The other elements listed are not commonly used for this purpose.

A bore is a tidal phenomenon caused when a rising tide moves upriver against the current, creating a sudden and strong surge of water. This matches option A, which correctly identifies the cause as the rising tide meeting river currents.

An anemometer is an instrument specifically designed to measure the velocity of wind or air flow. A speedometer measures the speed of a vehicle, an odometer measures distance traveled, and a hygrometer measures humidity.

Phobos is one of the two natural satellites (moons) of Mars, making Mars the correct answer. The other options do not have a moon named Phobos.

Vitamin C is water-soluble and sensitive to heat, which causes it to degrade during cooking or heating processes. Vitamins B and E are relatively more stable, and Vitamin K is fat-soluble and less affected by heat.