Chapter 21, Problem 91A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason for effective dissolving of grease in alkanes such as, hexane and cyclohexane and not in water needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

The thumb rule of effective dissolving depends on the polarity of the components. If the polarity of both solute and solvents are same then the solutes dissolves in solvent. In other words, the non-polar solute dissolves in non-polar solvent whereas the polar solute dissolves in polar solvents.

Explanation of Solution

The grease in non-polar in nature so, the solvents in which it dissolves should be non-polar. The solvent alkanes such as, hexane and cyclohexane are non-polar in nature whereas water solvent is polar in nature. Thus, according to thumb rule of effective dissolving, the grease showseffective dissolving in alkanes such as, hexane and cyclohexane and not in water.