Which statement best describes what happens when oil and water are stirred together?

Question

A. Oil molecules will repel each other electrically, leading to complete mixing of the two substances
B. Water and oil molecules have opposite electrical charges, causing them to repel each other and separate
C. Oil and water molecules have like charges, causing them to repel each other and separate
D. Water molecules will attract each other electrically, but they will not attract oil molecules, causing separation

Answer 1

The correct answer is D. Water molecules will attract each other electrically, but they will not attract oil molecules, causing separation.

Oil and water do not mix because water is polar (has a partial electrical charge) while oil is nonpolar (does not have a significant charge). The polar nature of water causes water molecules to attract each other, while they do not interact favorably with the nonpolar oil molecules, leading to separation.