Which statement best explains why oil and water do not mix?

• A. Oil is denser than water, so it floats on top and cannot mix.
• B. Oil molecules are too large to dissolve in water.
• C. Oil and water both have strong hydrogen bonding, which causes them to repel each other.
• D. Oil is nonpolar and water is polar, so there are no strong intermolecular forces between them.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the nature of water molecules: Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other, which allows it to form strong hydrogen bonds with other water molecules.
2. Recognize the nature of oil molecules: Oil molecules are generally nonpolar, meaning they do not have significant partial charges and cannot form hydrogen bonds.
3. Recall the principle 'like dissolves like': Polar substances tend to dissolve well in other polar substances due to similar intermolecular forces, and nonpolar substances dissolve well in other nonpolar substances.
4. Analyze the interaction between oil and water: Since oil is nonpolar and water is polar, the intermolecular forces between oil and water molecules are weak or nonexistent, preventing them from mixing.
5. Conclude that the lack of strong intermolecular forces between polar water and nonpolar oil molecules is the main reason why oil and water do not mix.