In addition to ionic compounds, which of the following types of compounds does water predominantly dissolve?

Water predominantly dissolves polar compounds due to its molecular structure and properties. Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on one side (the hydrogen atoms) and a partial negative charge on the other side (the oxygen atom). This polarity allows water molecules to interact and stabilize other polar or charged species, leading to their dissolution.

When polar compounds are mixed with water, the positive end of the water molecule (hydrogens) is attracted to the negative regions of the polar compound, while the negative end (oxygen) is attracted to the positive regions. This interaction forms hydration shells around the solute particles, allowing them to separate and disperse throughout the solvent, thus leading to solvation or dissolution.

While ionic compounds also dissolve well in water due to the interaction between the water molecules and the charged ions, the question asks about compounds in addition to ionic ones, and polar compounds fit this criterion perfectly as they also interact favorably with water.

Metallic compounds generally do not dissolve in water because they do not form the necessary interactions. Hydrophobic compounds lack the polarity needed for solubility in water, as they tend to repel water rather than interact with it. Gaseous compounds may dissolve in water to some degree depending on their