What Doesn't Mix with Water? Understanding Hydrophobic Substances

Discover why oil doesn't mix with water and learn about emulsifiers that bridge the gap between these two substances.

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Oil doesn't mix with water. This occurs because oil is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water molecules. To emulsify oil in water, you can use an emulsifier like soap or egg yolk, which contains both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts, enabling the two substances to mix.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What substances do not mix with water? Substances like oil and gasoline do not mix with water due to their hydrophobic properties, which repel water molecules.
  2. What is an emulsifier and how does it work? An emulsifier is a substance that helps to mix oil and water by stabilizing the mixture. Examples include soap and egg yolk, which contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic components.
  3. Why do oil and water separate? Oil and water separate because water molecules are polar and tend to stick together, while oil molecules are non-polar and do not interact positively with water.
  4. Can you give an example of using an emulsifier? A common example of using an emulsifier is making mayonnaise, where egg yolk is used to combine oil and vinegar or lemon juice into a stable mixture.

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