Refer to section B. Kerosene is a nonpolar covalent compound, water is a polar c

Question

Refer to section B. Kerosene is a nonpolar covalent compound, water is a polar covalent compound, and isopropyl alcohol is a covalent molecule with a polar part and a nonpolar part. How does this explain your observations about the miscibility of each of the pairs tested? kerosene and isopropyl alcohol: kerosene and water: isopropyl alcohol and water: In general, detergents are long molecules with a polar end and a nonpolar end. How does this explain their ability to remove oily stains from clothing in your washing machine? 129

Explanation / Answer

a. Kerosene and isopropyl alcohol are miscible because isopropyl alcohol has both polar and non-polar part. The interaction (i.e., Van Der Waals forces) between the nonpolar parts of isopropyl alcohol with the nonpolar covalent kerosene is strong enough to make them miscible.

b. Kerosene and water are immiscible. Water is polar covalent and has a very strong attraction force towards other water molecule (i.e., hydrogen bonding). Hence, water does not allow the nonpolar kerosene to mix within itself.

c. Isopropyl alcohol and water are miscible because isopropyl alcohol has both polar and non-polar part. The interaction (i.e., hydrogen bonding) between the polar parts of isopropyl alcohol with the water is so strong that makes them miscible.

d. We know from that the water is not miscible to the oil and the detergents with both polar and non-polar end help to remove the oily stains from the clothing. Water is attracted to the polar part of the detergents. And the non-polar part interacts (through Van Der Waals attraction) and mix well with the oily stains. Hence, on rinsing the water is washed away which takes the detergent and the oily stain alongwith it.

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