answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Water is a polar molecule and has partial positive and negative charges at either end. Oils are usually long hydrocarbon chains, which consist of Hydrogen and Carbon atoms. Hydrocarbons are generally non-polar and have no charge, therefore they cannot attract water. Water is attracted to itself as it has charges and oils are attracted to itself because of intermollecular forces. particles need to be able to intertwine in order to be "mixed", therefore oil and water remain separate.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

some of the substances in oal sink and contaminate the lake or sea bed. The oil at the top can be removed by using the floting technique but it's really time consuming, costly and usually only partly succesful

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

Oil and water separate because oil is less dense than water. Because of this density, oil is 'lighter' than water, and floats on top of it.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Because it is

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is it particularly difficult to separate oil and water once they are mixed?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

How do you separate salt and water when there mixed?

You cant


How does sand and water separate when mixed together?

through filtration


When water and oil are mixed and they separate which one separates to the top?

oil


What happens if milk and sea water is mixed?

They would separate out because they have different densities.


Why is it so difficult to separate the oil from water?

Its not difficult (it happens automatically), its just tedious since they're both liquids.


How would you separate this material sand mixed with water?

set the mixture out in the sun and let the water evaporate leaving the sand


How can you separate oil from water if there mixed?

Let stand over time the oil will rise to the top


What action occurs when oil and water is mixed in a separation funnel?

The oil and water will separate into two layers with oil as the top layer.


Two liquids that can be mixed together but separate shortly after are?

immiscible. i got this answer from my chemistry test.


What will happen if you mixed oil with water?

If you let the oil and water sit for a while, you can actually see the two separate. It's quite cool.


What will happen if 40 ml of oil is mixed with the 40 ml of water and stirred at least five minutes?

they will separate


When oil and water are mixed two separate layers form. Each layer is called a what?

Each layer is a phase.