Water is considered the universal solvent because is can dissolve

Answer: Polar substance, it dissolves polar substances, also called hydrophilic.

Explanation:

Water is a polar molecule and forms hydrogen bridges. Water is considered the universal solvent because it has great dissolving power. As water is a Polar substance, it dissolves polar substances, also called hydrophilic. Nonpolar substances, like oils, are hydrophobic and do not mix with water. The water is cohesive. Due to the formation of hydrogen bridges, water molecules attract strongly, keeping the substance stable. Also, water attracts other polar molecules, an association mechanism. That's why water wets polar materials like cotton and paper.

Water is known to be a universal solvent because it can dissolve almost every substance or element on earth.