Would CH4 dissolve in water? Why or why not?
CH4 is non-polar. H2O is polar. CH4 is not soluble in water.
To determine if CH4 (methane) would dissolve in water, we need to consider the polarity of the molecules involved.
CH4 is a nonpolar molecule because it consists of four hydrogen atoms bonded to a single carbon atom, forming a tetrahedral shape. Nonpolar molecules have an equal distribution of charge and do not have a positive or negative end.
On the other hand, water (H2O) is a polar molecule due to its bent molecular shape and unequal distribution of charge. The oxygen atom pulls electrons closer to itself, creating a partial negative charge at the oxygen end and partial positive charges at the hydrogen ends.
When it comes to dissolving in water, "like dissolves like" is a general rule. Polar solvents tend to dissolve polar solutes, and nonpolar solvents dissolve nonpolar solutes.
Since CH4 is nonpolar and water is polar, their dissolving abilities do not match. Therefore, CH4 is not soluble in water.