Question

6 multiple choice 10 points sanai was monitoring the oil spill in the gulf of mexico from an oil tanker. from her observations, she noted that the oil was moving in large patches through the water. the oil did not appear to dissolve into the water. why did the oil not dissolve into the water?
water has a high heat of vaporization
surface tension
hydrophobic interactions
sea water acts as a solvent
water from hydration shells
navigate to question at position 6, unanswered

Explanation:

To determine why oil does not dissolve in water, we analyze each option:

• "Water has a high heat of vaporization" relates to water's boiling properties, not solubility of oil. Eliminate.
• "Surface Tension" is about water's surface behavior, not oil - water solubility. Eliminate.
• "Hydrophobic interactions": Oil is non - polar, water is polar. Hydrophobic (water - fearing) molecules like oil avoid water, leading to non - dissolution. This is correct.
• "Sea water acts as a solvent" is true, but doesn't explain why oil doesn't dissolve (oil is insoluble in water solvent). Eliminate.
• "water from hydration shells" is about water around ions, not oil - water interaction. Eliminate.

Answer:

C. Hydrophobic interactions