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Oil is hydrophobic because its chemical formula doesn't allow it to dissolve in water. In other words, it's "water hating".

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Gudrun Cremin

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3y ago

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What is the oil-attracting molecule end of surfactant?

The oil-attracting molecule end of a surfactant is called the hydrophobic end or tail. It is typically a nonpolar or lipid-soluble portion of the molecule that is attracted to oil or other nonpolar substances. This hydrophobic end helps the surfactant molecules interact with and surround oil droplets to facilitate their dispersion in water.


Why does cooking oil firm clumps in water but dissolves in detergent?

Cooking oil forms clumps in water because it is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water and does not mix well with it. In contrast, when mixed with detergent, the oil dissolves because detergents contain molecules with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. The hydrophilic part interacts with water, while the hydrophobic part interacts with the oil, allowing the two substances to mix more effectively. This process helps break down the oil into smaller droplets, making it easier to disperse in water.


How does detergents help oil and water mix?

Do you know the phrase " Like dissolves like "? it means that polar substances dissolve other polar substances, and non-polar substances dissolve non-polar substances. Oil is non-polar, while water is a polar substance. To help oil and water mix, molecules of a detergent have two halves- the hydrophilic half and the hydrophobic half. The hydrophilic part of the molecule is polar, which dissolves water molecules. The hydrophobic part is non-polar, so it dissolves the oil molecules. So, basically, detergent can dissolve both oil and water, mixing them effectively.


What do hydrophobic portion of a synthetic detergent molecule usually consists of?

The hydrophobic portion of a synthetic detergent molecule typically consists of a long hydrocarbon chain, such as alkyl or aryl groups. This hydrophobic tail is responsible for interacting with oily or greasy particles to remove them from surfaces.


What liquid mix's with oil?

Water does not mix with oil because oil is hydrophobic and water is hydrophilic. Mixing water with oil will result in the water forming droplets or a separate layer due to their different chemical properties.

Related Questions

When a substance repels water such as oil and water it is said to be?

Hydrophobic.


Is olive oil polar?

no, its hydrophobic


How would you define hydrophobic substance?

All substances that are water repelling are considered hydrophobic substances. Ex: Oil, Waxes, etc..


Is oil amphiphilic?

No, oil is generally considered hydrophobic rather than amphiphilic. This means that oil molecules do not have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts like amphiphilic molecules do.


What is hydrophobic compound?

Oil is one of the best examples of substance that is hydrophobic which canÕt mix or dissolve with water. It is highly hydrophobic because the interaction in oil is more compact than other compounds.


Why does soap remove oil from hands?

Soap molecules contain both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (oil-attracting) parts. When soap is applied to oily hands and rinsed with water, the hydrophobic part of the soap molecules attaches to the oil, while the hydrophilic part allows the oil molecules to mix with the water and be rinsed away, effectively removing the oil from the hands.


Does oil contain water?

No, oil does not contain water. Oil and water are immiscible, meaning they do not mix together. Oil is a hydrophobic substance, which means it repels water.


How would a non polar molecule such as a fat or oil travel through the plasma membrane?

The inside of a membrane is "hydrophobic" because of the hydrophobic fatty acid tails of the phospholipids.


What is the oil-attracting molecule end of surfactant?

The oil-attracting molecule end of a surfactant is called the hydrophobic end or tail. It is typically a nonpolar or lipid-soluble portion of the molecule that is attracted to oil or other nonpolar substances. This hydrophobic end helps the surfactant molecules interact with and surround oil droplets to facilitate their dispersion in water.


Is hair hydrophobic?

hair is not hydrophobic, but can be if an oil treatment has been done as you cannot get the oil out of the hair with water, shampoo hair first then add water... so hair can be hydrophobic in some circumstances.


Why does cooking oil firm clumps in water but dissolves in detergent?

Cooking oil forms clumps in water because it is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water and does not mix well with it. In contrast, when mixed with detergent, the oil dissolves because detergents contain molecules with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. The hydrophilic part interacts with water, while the hydrophobic part interacts with the oil, allowing the two substances to mix more effectively. This process helps break down the oil into smaller droplets, making it easier to disperse in water.


How does dish detergent break oil?

Dish detergent contains surfactant molecules that have both a hydrophobic (water-repellent) and hydrophilic (water-attracting) end. The hydrophobic end attaches to the oil molecules, while the hydrophilic end allows the oil to be surrounded by water. This process breaks down the oil into smaller droplets, making it easier to wash away.