Which of the following is a hydrophobic material?a. paperb. table saltc. waxd. sugar

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of hydrophobicity: Hydrophobic materials repel water and do not mix well with it. They are typically non-polar substances.
2. Analyze each option to determine its interaction with water: Consider the chemical nature of each material.
3. Option a: Paper is made of cellulose, which is hydrophilic due to its polar nature and ability to form hydrogen bonds with water.
4. Option b: Table salt (sodium chloride) is ionic and dissolves easily in water, making it hydrophilic.
5. Option c: Wax is composed of long-chain hydrocarbons, which are non-polar and do not interact well with water, making it hydrophobic.

Key Concepts

Hydrophobicity

Hydrophobicity refers to the property of a substance to repel water. Hydrophobic materials do not mix with water and tend to be non-polar, meaning they do not have charged regions that can interact with water molecules. This characteristic is crucial in various applications, such as waterproofing and the behavior of biological membranes.

Polarity

Polarity is a chemical property that describes the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms in a molecule. Polar molecules have a significant difference in electronegativity between their atoms, leading to partial positive and negative charges. In contrast, non-polar molecules, which are typically hydrophobic, have an even distribution of charge and do not interact favorably with water.

Examples of Hydrophobic Materials

Common examples of hydrophobic materials include wax, oils, and certain plastics. These materials do not dissolve in water and often form a separate layer when mixed with it. Understanding these examples helps in identifying hydrophobic substances in various contexts, such as in nature or industrial applications.