Question

Predict whether each of the following substances would be more soluble in water (polar solvent) or in a hydrocarbon such as heptane (C7H16, nonpolar solvent):
(a) vegetable oil (nonpolar)
(b) isopropyl alcohol (polar)
(c) potassium bromide (ionic)

Answer 1

Answer:

Vegetable oil will dissolve in heptane

Isopropyl alcohol will dissolve in water

Potassium Bromide will dissolve in water

Explanation:

In chemistry, like dissolves like. This implies that polar substances will dissolve in polar solvents and nonpolar substances will dissolve in nonpolar solvents. This is so because, dissolution of a solute in a solvent involves adequate intermolecular interaction between solute and solvent which isn't possible between a polar and a nonpolar substance.