Multiple Choice
Which of the following intermolecular forces is the strongest?
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13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Intermolecular Forces
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Which of the following substances allows oil and water to mix or emulsify by reducing surface tension?
A
Salt (NaCl)
B
Sugar (C6H12O6)
C
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
D
Surfactant
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that oil and water do not mix well because water is polar and oil is nonpolar, leading to high surface tension at their interface.
Recognize that a substance that allows oil and water to mix is called a surfactant, which reduces the surface tension between the two immiscible liquids.
Identify that surfactants have molecules with both a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a hydrophobic (oil-attracting) tail, enabling them to interact with both oil and water.
Note that common substances like salt (NaCl), sugar (C6H12O6), and hydrochloric acid (HCl) do not have this dual affinity and therefore do not act as surfactants.
Conclude that the correct substance that allows oil and water to emulsify by reducing surface tension is a surfactant.
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