Water is dissolved into n-butanol (a polar liquid). Which is the second step at the molecular level as water dissolves into n-butanol?

n-Butanol mixes with water.
Water molecules are carried into n-butanol.
n-Butanol molecules surround water molecules.
n-Butanol molecules are attracted to the surface of the water molecules.

1 answer

The second step at the molecular level as water dissolves into n-butanol is:

n-Butanol molecules are attracted to the surface of the water molecules.

In the dissolution process, initially, water molecules have to come into contact with the n-butanol molecules. The polar nature of both n-butanol and water allows for attractive interactions between their molecules.