So the water molecules fit in between the alcohol molecules? or do they attach to the structures?
See below.
Thank you so much for your help.
To understand how water molecules interact with alcohol molecules, we need to consider the properties of both substances.
Water (H2O) is a highly polar molecule. It consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to an oxygen atom, which creates a slight negative charge around the oxygen atom and slight positive charges around the hydrogen atoms. This polarity allows water molecules to form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules and interact with polar solutes.
Alcohols, such as ethanol (CH3CH2OH), also have a polar hydroxyl group (-OH). Like water, alcohols can form hydrogen bonds with other alcohol molecules and interact with polar solutes.
When water and alcohol are mixed, the water molecules can indeed interact with the alcohol molecules. The water molecules can form hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups of the alcohol molecules. This interaction allows water and alcohol to mix to some extent.
However, it's important to note that alcohol molecules can also interact with each other through intermolecular forces, like van der Waals forces. These forces can be stronger between alcohol molecules compared to the interaction between alcohol and water molecules. Therefore, at high alcohol concentrations, the intermolecular forces among alcohol molecules can dominate, and the solubility of water in alcohol decreases.
In summary, water molecules can interact with alcohol molecules by forming hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups. They do not typically attach or fit between alcohol molecules but rather create a mixture where both substances can coexist.