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

Question

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

Answer 1

The statement that best describes what happens when oil and water are stirred together is:

A. Water molecules attract each other, but they will not attract oil molecules, causing separation.

This statement accurately reflects the fact that water is a polar molecule that forms hydrogen bonds with other water molecules, while oil is nonpolar and does not mix well with polar substances. As a result, oil and water separate rather than forming a homogenous mixture.