Liquid methyl alcohol, which has polar molecules, will dissolve:
A. only solutes that are other polar liquids.
B. only solutes that are other liquids.
C. nonpolar solutes.
D. polar solutes.
Is the answer d.
yes, I just solved it myself.
No, the answer is actually C. Liquid methyl alcohol, which is a polar solvent, will dissolve nonpolar solutes. Polar solutes will typically dissolve better in other polar solvents.
Yes, the correct answer is D. Liquid methyl alcohol, which has polar molecules, will dissolve polar solutes.
To understand why this is the correct answer, we need to consider the concept of "like dissolves like." Polar solvents, such as liquid methyl alcohol, have molecules with a positive and negative end (due to differences in electronegativity), creating an uneven distribution of charge. Polar solutes also have a similar charge distribution or dipole moment. When a polar solvent comes into contact with a polar solute, the positive end of the solvent is attracted to the negative end of the solute, while the negative end of the solvent is attracted to the positive end of the solute. This attraction helps dissolve the solute molecularly or ionically in the solvent.
On the other hand, nonpolar solvents, like hydrocarbons, do not have an uneven distribution of charge and cannot form strong attractions with polar solutes. Therefore, they are unable to dissolve polar solutes effectively.
In summary, liquid methyl alcohol, being a polar solvent, will dissolve polar solutes because of the attractive forces between their opposite charges.