AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Nonpolar substances do not dissolve in polar solvents which explains why oil does not dissolve or mix with water. Nonpolar substances will dissolve in nonpolar solvents. To dissolve the oil stain described in this question a nonpolar solvent such as hexane or carbon tetrachloride could be used.

Detailed explanation-2: -Answer and Explanation: A general rule is ‘like dissolves like. ‘ This means that polar molecules can dissolve polar molecules and non-polar molecules can dissolve non-polar molecules. Gasoline is non-polar and water is polar, therefore they will not mix, or dissolve in one another.

Detailed explanation-3: -However, the nonpolar molecules are more attracted to themselves than they are to the polar water molecules. When a nonpolar liquid such as oil is mixed with water, two separate layers form because the liquids will not dissolve into each other (figure below).

Detailed explanation-4: -Nonpolar substances are likely to dissolve in nonpolar solvents. For example, nonpolar molecular substances are likely to dissolve in hexane, a common nonpolar solvent.