Question

In terms of bonding, explain why ethanol and water are miscible yet carbon tetrachloride and water are inmmiscible.

Answer 1

Ethanol and water are miscible because they both have polar molecules with relatively polar covalent bonds. This polarity creates an attraction, or dipole-dipole interactions, between the molecules of the two substances. Therefore, when ethanol and water are mixed, the polar molecules of the two substances attract each other and form a homogeneous mixture.

On the other hand, carbon tetrachloride is a nonpolar molecule with relatively nonpolar covalent bonds that don't create strong attractions with polar water molecules. Due to the lack of polar interactions, carbon tetrachloride and water are immiscible and separate into two distinct layers when mixed.