Ethanol, C2H6O, is very soluble in water. Describe how water dissolved ethanol.
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When ethanol (C2H6O) is dissolved in water, it undergoes a process called solvation or hydration. This process occurs due to the specific molecular structure and properties of both ethanol and water.
To understand how water dissolves ethanol, we need to consider the intermolecular forces at play. Water molecules are polar, meaning they have a slightly positive charge on their hydrogen atoms and a slightly negative charge on their oxygen atom. Ethanol also has a polar nature, as it contains a hydroxyl group (-OH) that behaves similarly to water.
The solvation process involves three main steps:
1. Dispersion: Water molecules surround and interact with ethanol molecules through dispersion forces (also known as van der Waals forces). These forces arise from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution, resulting in momentary charges. Dispersion forces are relatively weak but play an important role in solvation.
2. Dipole-Dipole Interactions: The positive end of the water molecule (hydrogen) is attracted to the negative end of the ethanol molecule (oxygen), forming dipole-dipole interactions. This occurs because the oxygen atom of ethanol is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms, creating a polar bond within the molecule.
3. Hydrogen Bonding: Water molecules can also form hydrogen bonds with ethanol molecules. Hydrogen bonding occurs when the positively charged hydrogen atom of one molecule is attracted to the negatively charged oxygen atom of another molecule. In this case, the hydroxyl group (-OH) in ethanol can form hydrogen bonds with surrounding water molecules.
The combined impact of these intermolecular forces allows water to effectively surround and dissolve ethanol molecules. The polar nature of both substances facilitates mutual attraction, resulting in a homogeneous solution.
In summary, water dissolves ethanol by forming dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonds with ethanol molecules. These intermolecular forces break up the ethanol molecules and disperse them throughout the water, resulting in a homogeneous mixture.