Solvent Chemistry Example 2

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 2

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Explain 'like dissolves like' using the example of oil and water versus oil and hexane.

Solution

  1. 1
    Oil is nonpolar. Water is polar. Nonpolar substances do not dissolve well in polar solvents — oil and water separate.
  2. 2
    Hexane (C6H14\text{C}_6\text{H}_{14}) is nonpolar. Nonpolar solutes dissolve well in nonpolar solvents.
  3. 3
    Therefore, oil dissolves readily in hexane: 'like dissolves like'.

Answer

Nonpolar oil dissolves in nonpolar hexane but not in polar water.\text{Nonpolar oil dissolves in nonpolar hexane but not in polar water.}
The 'like dissolves like' rule means polar solvents dissolve polar and ionic solutes, while nonpolar solvents dissolve nonpolar solutes. This principle guides solvent choice in chemistry.

About Solvent

The substance in a solution that does the dissolving, typically present in the larger amount.

Learn more about Solvent →

More Solvent Examples

Example 1 easy

Why is water called the 'universal solvent'?

Example 3 easy

In a solution of ethanol and water where water is [formula] by volume, which is the solvent?

Example 4 hard

Nail polish does not dissolve in water but dissolves easily in acetone. Explain why a different solv

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