What does the science term called like dissolves like mean?

Answer 1

"Like Dissolves Like" is a concept in chemistry discribing hydrophobic (nonpolar) and hydrophilic (polar) interactions. Polar molecules, in order to reduce unfavorable interactions that require free energy to compensate for, tend to associate with other polar molecules. Non-polar molecules, likewise, associate with other nonpolar molecules. The terms hydrophobic and hydrophilic are used to describe a molecules tendency to associate with water. Polar molecules, using the "like dissolves like" concept associate with water, while nonpolar molecules tend to reduce interactions with water.

Answer 2

"Like dissolves like" refers to the principle in chemistry that substances with similar polarity and intermolecular forces are more likely to dissolve in each other. For example, polar substances will dissolve in polar solvents, while nonpolar substances will dissolve in nonpolar solvents. This principle helps determine solubility of substances in different solvents.