Water is called the universal solvent because it dissolves many solutes. Ionic compounds dissolve through attractions between water molecules and ions, separating the crystal lattice. Molecular compounds dissolve as water molecules arrange around the solute according to polarity. Solubility depends on temperature and chemistry - polar solvents dissolve polar solutes. Adding solute increases the boiling point and decreases the freezing point of solvents by interfering with molecular arrangements.