Question

Water is a polar solvent. Which of the following will not dissolve in water?

Answer 1

Answer: option B.olive oil.

Explanation.

The general rule of thumb when you analyze the ability of a solvent to dissolve a solute is that lke dissolves like.

That means:

1) polar solvents dissolve ionic or polar solutes

2) Non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar solutes

3) Non-polar solvents do not dissolve polar and ionic solutes 

4) Polar solvents do not dissolve non-polar solutes.

There are exceptions, but the rule is applicable in here.

A. table salt: it is NaCl, a ionic compound, so the water which is a polar solvent will dissolve the table salt.

B. Olive oil: the oils are non-polar organic compounds, so it will not be dissolved in a polar solvent.

C. Vinegar: vinegar is acetic acid, which is a polar organic compound, so it will be dissolved in water.

D. Sugar: sugar (sucrose) is a polar organic compound, so it will get dissovled in water.