Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the polarity of a water molecule?
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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What is the polarity of a hydrophilic substance?
A
Nonpolar
B
Polar
C
Ionic
D
Amphipathic
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the term 'hydrophilic': A hydrophilic substance is one that has an affinity for water, meaning it can interact well with water molecules.
Recall the nature of water: Water is a polar molecule, which means it has a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other.
Consider the interactions: For a substance to be hydrophilic, it must be able to interact with the polar nature of water. This typically means the substance itself is polar or ionic.
Differentiate between polar and nonpolar: Polar substances have a distribution of electric charge leading to positive and negative poles, while nonpolar substances do not have such a charge distribution.
Conclude the polarity: Since hydrophilic substances interact well with water, they are typically polar or ionic, as these types of substances can form favorable interactions with the polar water molecules.
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