Why is sugar more soluble in water than in
canola oil?????????plz help
Sugar is more soluble in water than in canola oil because of the differences in their molecular structures and the intermolecular forces between them. To understand why this is the case, let's break it down step by step:
1. Molecular Structure:
Sugar (sucrose) is a polar molecule, meaning it has a positive and negative end due to the presence of oxygen atoms. It contains hydroxyl (OH) functional groups, which are highly polar.
On the other hand, canola oil consists primarily of nonpolar triglyceride molecules. Triglycerides are composed of long hydrocarbon chains, making canola oil a nonpolar substance.
2. Intermolecular Forces:
Solubility is determined by the interaction between molecules. In the case of sugar and water, the polar nature of both compounds allows them to interact through a type of intermolecular force called hydrogen bonding.
Hydrogen bonding occurs when the positively charged hydrogen atoms in the water molecule are attracted to the negatively charged oxygen atoms in the sugar molecule.
In canola oil, there is no hydrogen bonding due to its nonpolar nature. Instead, canola oil molecules interact through weaker intermolecular forces called London dispersion forces which act between nonpolar molecules.
3. Like Dissolves Like:
A fundamental principle in solubility is "like dissolves like." It means that substances with similar intermolecular forces are more likely to dissolve in each other.
Since sugar and water are both polar substances, they have similar intermolecular forces, allowing them to mix and dissolve easily. On the other hand, canola oil, being nonpolar, cannot form strong enough intermolecular forces with the polar sugar molecules, resulting in poor solubility.
In summary, sugar is more soluble in water than in canola oil because both sugar and water are polar substances capable of forming strong hydrogen bonds. Canola oil, being nonpolar, cannot interact effectively with the polar sugar molecules, leading to limited solubility.