Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic: Exploring Water-Loving and Water-Hating Properties

What do the terms hydrophilic and hydrophobic mean?

Which of the following best describes these terms?

Answer:

Hydrophilic means water-loving and hydrophobic means water-hating.

Hydrophilic and hydrophobic are terms used to describe the interaction of substances with water. Hydrophilic substances are water-loving and have an affinity for water molecules. They are typically polar or charged molecules that can form hydrogen bonds with water. Examples of hydrophilic substances include sugars, salts, and some proteins.

On the other hand, hydrophobic substances are water-hating and do not have an affinity for water molecules. They are typically nonpolar molecules that cannot form hydrogen bonds with water. Examples of hydrophobic substances include oils, fats, and waxes.

Understanding the difference between hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties is crucial in various fields such as chemistry, biology, and material science. The interplay between these characteristics plays a significant role in the behavior of molecules and their interactions with water.