In: Chemistry
Explain why water and oil (a long chain hydrocarbon) do not mix. In your explanation, be sure to address how ΔH plays a role.
Mixing of two liquids depends upon a number of factors such as the similar nature of their molecules, intermolecular forces existing between them etc. However, water is small polar molecule in comparison to long-chain non-polar hydrocarbon i.e oil. So their exit weak force of attraction among oil molecule. The bonds that exit between water molecules are very strong, when compared the bonds between oil molecules, which are weak. Due to these differences, a lot of energy required to give an effort to mix water and oil molecules together. The required energy is very high, resulting very high value of +ve enthalpy of reaction (∆H). Due to the large positive value of ∆H, water and oil cannot be mixed.