Why doesn't oil dissolve in water?
Why doesn't oil dissolve in water?
Because water is polar and oil is nonpolar, their molecules are not attracted to each other. The molecules of a polar solvent like water are attracted to other polar molecules, such as those of sugar. ... So many substances dissolve in water that it is sometimes called the universal solvent. There is one more reason why they cannot mix with each other. Polarity. Polarity means a molecule is positively charged at one end and negatively charged at the other. Water is a polar molecule. Water molecules are made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom each.
Since only opposites attract, the water molecules stick to each other.
Polar molecules only dissolve in polar solvents. Similarly, non-polar molecules only dissolve in non- polar solvents. Oil is made up of non-polar molecules. It has a shell of negative charges, or electrons, surrounding the molecule.
The oil molecules will ultimately stick to each other. Therefore, even if you stir a container with oil and water, they will eventually separate into two distinct layers.
Detergents and soaps help us to remove oil and dirt from utensils and our bodies. Oily feathers and coats help animals who live in seas and rivers to stay warm, as the oil keeps the cold water away from their skin.
There is one more reason why they cannot mix with each other. Polarity. Polarity means a molecule is positively charged at one end and negatively charged at the other. Water is a polar molecule. Water molecules are made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom each.
Since only opposites attract, the water molecules stick to each other.
Polar molecules only dissolve in polar solvents. Similarly, non-polar molecules only dissolve in non- polar solvents. Oil is made up of non-polar molecules. It has a shell of negative charges, or electrons, surrounding the molecule.
The oil molecules will ultimately stick to each other. Therefore, even if you stir a container with oil and water, they will eventually separate into two distinct layers.
Detergents and soaps help us to remove oil and dirt from utensils and our bodies. Oily feathers and coats help animals who live in seas and rivers to stay warm, as the oil keeps the cold water away from their skin.
