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Multiple Choice
Why do vinegar and oil separate in salad dressing?
A
Because oil is nonpolar and does not form hydrogen bonds with the polar water molecules in vinegar.
B
Because oil is denser than vinegar and sinks to the bottom.
C
Because vinegar evaporates faster than oil.
D
Because both vinegar and oil are polar and repel each other.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the chemical properties of vinegar and oil: Vinegar is primarily composed of water and acetic acid, both of which are polar molecules. Oil, on the other hand, is composed of nonpolar molecules, such as triglycerides.
Review the concept of polarity: Polar molecules have regions of partial positive and negative charges due to unequal sharing of electrons in their bonds. Nonpolar molecules lack these charged regions and do not interact well with polar molecules.
Examine the role of hydrogen bonding: Polar molecules, like those in vinegar, can form hydrogen bonds with each other. Nonpolar molecules, like oil, cannot form hydrogen bonds and therefore do not mix with polar substances.
Consider the principle of 'like dissolves like': Polar substances tend to mix with other polar substances, and nonpolar substances mix with other nonpolar substances. Since vinegar is polar and oil is nonpolar, they do not mix and instead separate.
Conclude that the separation occurs because oil is nonpolar and does not form hydrogen bonds with the polar water molecules in vinegar, leading to the two substances separating in salad dressing.