Multiple Choice
Which of the following substances will most likely ionize completely when dissolved in water?
4
views
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions
Solubility Rules
Struggling with General Chemistry?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which functional group is generally the most soluble in water, assuming the number of carbons is equivalent?
A
Alcohol (–OH)
B
Aldehyde (–CHO)
C
Alkane (–CH3)
D
Ether (–O–)
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that solubility in water depends largely on the ability of a molecule to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.
Identify the functional groups given: Alcohol (–OH), Aldehyde (–CHO), Alkane (–CH3), and Ether (–O–), and consider their polarity and hydrogen bonding capabilities.
Recall that alcohols (–OH) have a hydroxyl group capable of both donating and accepting hydrogen bonds, which greatly enhances their solubility in water.
Recognize that aldehydes (–CHO) and ethers (–O–) can accept hydrogen bonds but cannot donate them as effectively as alcohols, making them less soluble than alcohols but more soluble than alkanes.
Note that alkanes (–CH3) are nonpolar and cannot form hydrogen bonds, so they are generally the least soluble in water among the options.
2:07mWatch next
Master Solubility and Insolubility with a bite sized video explanation from Jules
Start learningRelated Videos
Related Practice
Solubility Rules practice set
Problem sets built by lead tutorsExpert video explanations