* Polarity: Water is a highly polar molecule, meaning it has a positive and negative end. Salt (NaCl) is also an ionic compound with a positive (sodium) and negative (chloride) end. The positive end of water molecules attracts the negative chloride ions, and the negative end of water molecules attracts the positive sodium ions. This strong attraction allows water to effectively break apart the ionic bonds in salt and dissolve it.
* Alcohol's Polarity: While alcohol is also polar, it is less polar than water. This means that the attraction between alcohol molecules and salt ions is weaker than the attraction between water molecules and salt ions. As a result, alcohol dissolves significantly less salt than water.
In summary: Water is a much more effective solvent for salt due to its higher polarity and stronger attraction to the ions in salt.
